Fox News founder Roger Ailes died yesterday in Palm Beach, Florida aged 77 

Leaving Fox News - the station he founded - 'broke' Roger Ailes' heart and he was 'never the same' after his departure, his former colleague Bill O'Reilly said yesterday. 

The media guru and political strategist died yesterday in Palm Beach, Florida aged 77. 

He was ousted from Fox in July after accusations of sexual harassment.

During a four-minute tribute on his podcast yesterday, Mr O'Reilly praised Mr Ailes as a visionary and someone who 'didn't take any guff from the left or the right' politically.

Mr O'Reilly said that Mr Ailes' departure from Fox News 'broke his heart,' and after he was forced out Ailes was 'never the same.'  

Mr O'Reilly was fired from his top-rated show at Fox in April after reports surfaced that the network had settled lawsuits with five women who alleged he sexually harassed them. Mr O'Reilly has denied those accusations. 

Mr Ailes is credited with transforming television news and America's political conversation by creating and ruling the Fox News Channel for two decades before being ousted last year for alleged sexual harassment.