CNN anchor Don Lemon eulogized former network president Jeff Zucker’s time with the company on Friday by using thanking him, partly, for his dedication to variety.

Zucker stepped down on Wednesday over what he called a “consensual relationship” with chief advertising officer Allison Gollust.

“I mentioned the relationship developed in recent years. I used to be required to reveal it when it started but I didn’t. I used to be mistaken,” Zucker advised CNN workers. “In consequence, I’m resigning today.”

Lemon’s colleagues spent parts of the week sharing a blend of outrage, awe, and praise over Zucker and his ouster.

On Friday’s Don Lemon Tonight, the host broke his silence about the man who he stated changed his life, and the face of prime time cable information.

“A variety of other folks have been gazing questioning what’s going down,” Lemon said. “It’s been a truly tough day today, and a tough few days for us right here at CNN, all week really.

“I didn’t wish to discuss it except tonight. So, in reality that we’re all heartbroken as a result of we lost our leader here. We misplaced the person who was the spine, the glue, and the spirit of this company.” He persevered,

The man I personally credit with altering my existence, a man who believed in me when nobody else did. He is the explanation that you’ve got a gay Black man with two hours of primetime. A convey with my title it. The one anchor of color in primetime and cable information. Think about that. You need to speak about variety? Here it’s. It has been arduous to return in to work this week now not just for me, but for therefore many of us us here at CNN.

Lemon eulogized Zucker as a man who carried the community via both internal and external situations. He added,

Jeff Zucker won’t have launched this community, however he revived it. He made it relevant once more. He steadied it for the remaining decade. He left us with a very good blueprint going ahead. So for all of you at house observing, you must understand that I and my colleagues will proceed to do just what he would need us to do, and that’s to do what I’m going to do right now, ship the news, it doesn’t matter what it is, with out fear or favor.

An emotional Lemon concluded, “Let’s just move on. Excellent night everyone. I’m Don Lemon, and that is CNN.”

Watch above, via CNN.

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