Don Lemon was left with a bruised ego after discovering that his name would not be included on CNN’s This Morning breakfast show – after bosses cut his prime-time program.

The 56-year-old was reportedly upset when he realized that CNN bosses also expected him to work alongside his two co-anchors Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow rather than as a solo operator.

Network insiders told Puck that there were problems with the struggling morning program before it even launched in November.

Lemon reportedly ‘expressed unease’ with his new position after his 10pm show Don Lemon Tonight was axed amid a reshuffle at the network.

He was also ‘under the impression’ that his name would be included in the new morning show, which he was told was a ‘promotion’.

Lemon reportedly ‘expressed unease’ with his new position after his 10pm show Don Lemon Tonight was axed amid a reshuffle at the network

The 56-year-old was reportedly upset when he realized that CNN bosses also expected him to work alongside his two co-anchors Kaitlan Collins (right)  and Poppy Harlow (left)  rather than as a solo operator.

CNN Chairman Chris Licht pitched his new role as a positive, giving him a contract extension and a salary increase, with Lemon also publicly saying it was ‘not a demotion’.

Lemon added: ‘For all of those who are out there saying, ‘Oh, he moved me, and without my input’—he asked me and I said yes. I could have said no.’

However, he was reportedly upset that his colleagues believed it was a step down for him, despite his insistence it was a promotion.

He has also clashed several times with White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins live on air, with the pair repeatedly talking over each other.

The incident resulted in a bust-up between the pair, with Lemon ‘screaming’ at Collins on December 8, which resulted in her running from the set in tears.

After that, he was reportedly told to take a day to ‘cool off’ by boss Chris Licht but instead blew up on staffers after a company newsletter featured a story about his altercation with the White House Correspondent.

Lemon went ‘ballistic’ at staffers who highlighted the spat with Collins, according to RadarOnline – with the host claiming she ‘interrupted him’ during a December broadcast.

Since the incident in December, Lemon has been sent to Memphis and on other assignments, while Collins worked remotely from Washington DC on several occasions in January.

CNN Chairman Chris Licht pitched his new role as a positive, giving him a contract extension and a salary increase, with Lemon also publicly saying it was ‘not a demotion’

He finally addressed the controversy following a three-day absence from the show where he was forced to talk to top bosses about his behavior 

He has also clashed several times with White House Correspondent Kaitlan Colins live on air, with the pair repeatedly talking over each other

It came after he was forced to undergo ‘formal training’ after making sexist comments about 2024 presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, 51, being past her prime.

Harlow took a ‘well timed’ bathroom break and was followed into the bathroom by Collins after the comment – with a source adding the tense relationship has been ‘smoldering for months’.

Lemon missed the show for three days straight, with insiders saying he is aware that he is on his ‘final warning’ after a series of insulting blunders on the early-morning show.

Licht, who has slammed Lemon’s remarks, sent a memo to staffers Monday saying that Lemon has agreed to participate in training.

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According to a memo sent to staffers on Monday, Licht said: ‘I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation.

‘He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously.

‘It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with a fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes.’

He was upset that his colleagues believed it was a step down for him after DOn Lemon Tonight was axed, despite his insistence it was a promotion

It came after he was forced to undergo ‘formal training’ after making sexist comments about 2024 presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, 51, being past her prime

Lemon returned to the show on Wednesday, but did not acknowledge the backlash he faced live on air – instead issued a groveling apology online moments before the show started.

Licht previously said that the remarks were ‘upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization’ during an editorial call on Friday.

Lemon tweeted just before going on air: ‘I appreciate the opportunity to be back on CNN This Morning today.

‘To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience — I’m sorry. I’ve heard you, I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better. See you soon.’

The host took an unscheduled day off on Monday, after jetting off to Miami with his fiancé on a planned trip – which conveniently coincided with the backlash.

He also lost out on an interview with disgraced Congressman George Santos to TalkTV’s Piers Morgan following his comments.

Lemon returned to the show on Wednesday, but did not acknowledge the backlash he faced live on air – instead issued a groveling apology online moments before the show started 

CNN’s Chairman Chris Licht, who has slammed Lemon’s remarks, sent a memo to staffers Monday saying that Lemon has agreed to participate in training

Several insiders say that there has been an increase in calling for Lemon to be removed from the show because of his behavior.

Lemon has been keeping a low profile after his Miami holiday, and even stepped back from hosting an event in New York yesterday about ‘race and real estate’ in honor of Black History Month amid the controversy.

It comes after Nikki Haley, who is four years younger than Lemon, has hit out again at the comments saying she is past her prime.

She told Fox News yesterday to ‘hold my beer’ and watch what she can do next while discussing the comments.

Lemon’s December blow-up isn’t the first wrong move he’s made while adjusting to sharing the limelight with his new colleagues.

A week prior he was shot down by Collins and Harlow after they accused him of mansplaining why the US men’s soccer team should get paid more – despite their lack of success.

He insisted that he was joking when he said that men were ‘more interesting to watch’- with the interaction making for awkward viewing.

CNN This Morning has suffered a ratings bomb and early last month experienced its least-viewed week since launch, averaging just over 330,000 viewers.