Rosie O'Donnell Is Returning to the View

10 July 2014

Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie O'Donnell is returning to 'The View'.

The 52-year-old comedian, who left the programme seven years ago, has been confirmed as the co-host on the ABC chat show alongside Whoopi Goldberg.

The network announced the news on Twitter today (10.07.14), tweeting: "It's official! ABC confirms Rosie O'Donnell returns as co-host of #TheView w/ moderator Whoopi Goldberg for Season 18 (sic)."

ABC had been "auditioning loads of people" - including Bill Rancic, Bevy Smith, Ross Matthews and Mario Cantone - in recent months in bid to get the right chemistry on the panel following Jenny McCarthy and Sherri Shepherd's exit from the show last month.

The former Playboy model, 41, was reportedly axed from the talk show after less than a year on the panel because she "played it too safe".

A source said previously: "It's not a shock that Jenny was let go. [She] restrained herself and didn't say what she really thought. She played it too safe."

Jenny took to Twitter at the end of last month to break the news to her fans and insisted she'd had a great time on the show and was grateful for what it had given her.

She tweeted: "My View will be changing too. As will with many hard working folks.

"Thanks to everyone at the show for your dedication and an amazing year (sic)."