Janice Dean is saying farewell to Fox & Friends after years as one of the program’s familiar faces.
The 56-year-old Fox News meteorologist announced in a video posted on social media on Thursday, June 25, that she is leaving the morning show as she continues living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Dean, who joined Fox News in 2004 and was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition in 2005, addressed viewers on X, acknowledging that many had been asking about her recent absence. Back in November, she had shared that she was taking time away from work to focus on her family while dealing with ongoing health challenges.
“For many years, I managed the demanding schedule of early mornings, long hours standing, and the pressure of live television,” Dean explained. “But waking up at 2:30 a.m. and performing every day is especially difficult when you’re living with multiple sclerosis.”
She went on to describe the invisible nature of the disease, explaining that while people with MS may appear healthy on the outside, their immune systems attack the brain, spinal cord, and sometimes the optic nerve. The lasting damage, she said, often cannot be seen except through MRI scans.
Dean added that receiving an early diagnosis allowed her to manage the condition with various treatments over the past two decades. However, as her symptoms gradually became more challenging—bringing increased fatigue, sleep difficulties, and stress—she and her medical team concluded that stepping away from her role was the best decision for her long-term health.