Fox News host announces divorce on-air during Valentine's Day segment: “Fuck Valentine's Day”

FoxNews Host Julie Banderas surprised viewers when she announced in a Valentine's Day segment that she was getting a divorce.

Banderas shared the relationship update on Thursday night during an appearance on the conservative news channel's comedy show Good field!where she also took the opportunity to denigrate the romantic holiday.

The exchange took place towards the end of the show when host Greg Gutfeld asked the news anchor, who has been married to her husband Andrew Sansone since 2009, if she would give a gift for Valentine's Day.

“Fuck Valentine's Day,” Banderas replied to loud gasps from the audience and other panelists before adding, “It's stupid, even when I was married I didn't get anything for Valentine's Day.”

Banderas' comment prompted Gutfeld to ask if the anchor meant that she was “no longer married,” at which point she announced that she was divorcing her husband.

“So, I'm getting a divorce. I'm going to say it right here and now for the very first time,” Banderas said with a big smile. “Thank you all. Congratulations are in order. That's the latest news here on Gutfeld!”

Banderas then asked both the live audience and her fellow panelists to clap, claiming that those who “know” her knew that this announcement should be met with applause.

“If you know me, you will clap,” she added.

Banderas' statement came after she hinted on Twitter earlier in the day that she would make a “small announcement” during the show's Valentine's Day segment.

“Tune in to @Gutfeldfox tonight at 11pm ET. I have a little announcement at the end of the show. (Ironically during the Valentine's Day segment),” she tweeted alongside a selfie.

After announcing her divorce, the mother of three condemned Valentine's Day as a “stupid” holiday. “It's a Hallmark holiday, it's stupid,” she continued on the show. “I mean, it's just absolutely ridiculous and I don't think you need a day…”

Although she was critical of the holiday, Banderas offered some advice to men who buy flowers for their partners on Valentine's Day.

“Guys, when you give your girlfriend flowers, don't give them to her in a box. That's the only advice I can give you. No flowers in a box,” she said, then explained that she didn't want to receive “anything living in a box.” “If you're in a box, you're better off dead,” she added.

Banderas had already hinted in December that her relationship with Sansone was over when she referred to him as her “soon-to-be ex.” The news anchor made the comment on Twitter in response to a fan who claimed that Banderas made her laugh with her jokes about Sansone.

Banderas' divorce announcement was met with widespread approval on Twitter, with one calling her decision to share the news live “iconic,” while another wrote, “Congratulations Julie. Enjoy your newfound happiness.”

After the show, Banderas confirmed on Twitter that she was “not joking” with the divorce announcement, responding to a viewer's comment that she was probably joking when she shared the news. “I was not joking,” she wrote.

The Independent asked Banderas for comment.