Dawn Chmielewski, Helen Coster

(Reuters) – CNN President Jeff Zucker, who industry insiders believed would assume will play a greater role in the merger of Discovery and CNN (NASDAQ:), resigned Wednesday. He told staff he had not disclosed a consensual relationship to a colleague.

Zucker, 56, said in a memo that his relationship came to light during the network’s investigation into the conduct of Chris Cuomo, a primetime CNN anchor who was fired in December for assisting his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was accused of sexual misconduct.

Andrew Cuomo claims that his accusers have misinterpret his words and gestures.

The memo stated that Zucker had to have disclosed it but didn’t. He also quit his position as Chairman of WarnerMedia’s news division and its sports division.

Zucker declined an interview request through a spokesperson. According to his spokesperson, he has a divorce.

Although he did not mention his colleague, it was Allison Gollust who was the network’s chief marketing officer, CNN anchor Brian Stelter stated during Wednesday’s broadcast. He also said that she would continue at CNN.

“Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years,” Stelter quoted Gollust as saying in a separate memo of her own issued on Wednesday. “Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. It was a regrettable decision that it wasn’t made public at the appropriate time. I’m incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do everyday.”

Gollust didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.

CNN is part of AT&T-owned WarnerMedia, which is being spun off in a $43 billion transaction 1 with Discovery.

While Zucker indicated that he would be retiring from CNN, it was still expected that he will play an important role in the creation of Warner Bros Discovery. Former colleagues, Zucker and Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav will be leading Warner Bros Discovery.

WarnerMedia plans to launch CNN+ in the first quarter 2022. Zaslav has publicly committed to CNN after the deal closes and said that the combined entity will “lean into news.”

Discovery refused to comment on Zucker’s resignation.

WarnerMedia Chief Executive Jason Kilar sent a memo to his staff stating that he has accepted Zucker’s resignation and will announce soon a temporary leadership plan.

An ex-member of CNN’s staff said that “people are very shocked.” “Jeff is like the glue for a lot of people throughout the pandemic.”

Zucker joined CNN in 2013. He has an illustrious reputation within the television business, marked by his early successes. He was the executive producer of NBC’s “Today” show in his 20s, then became the president of NBC Entertainment.

Zucker, who was raised in Miami, has four children, and lives in New York City according to CNN.