Rosie O'Donnell has taken to YouTube to explain her departure from 'The View', after failing to address it on Monday's episode. In a video posted on Monday afternoon, the comedian revealed she is leaving to focus on her health following a heart attack two years ago.
'Stress is very bad for heart attack survivors,' O'Donnell said. 'You should minimise your stress, maximise your exercise and control your diet. That's what you need to do for a healthy heart. So that's what I'm doing. I'm minimising my stress by leaving 'The View'.'
O'Donnell mentioned her five children, four of whom are teenagers, and said while she cannot control stress at home, she can control it at work by leaving the ABC show. She said she did not want to talk about it on 'The View', despite 'everyone' wanting her to, and probably will not discuss it on Tuesday's episode either.
The comedian had previously addressed her departure in an interview with 'Entertainment Tonight', attributing it to a desire to focus on her family after divorcing wife Michelle Rounds. However, insiders told Variety that tensions with co-host Whoopi Goldberg and behind-the-scenes executive turmoil also contributed.
O'Donnell's final episode of 'The View' will be on Thursday, ending her second stint on the show after just five months. She previously left the programme in 2012 after a single season. Her departure follows recent drama at 'The View', including ABC's decision to fire co-host Rosie Perez, which was later reversed after news leaked.
