Enda Kenny says he’s “greatly saddened” at George Lee’s decision to quit politics.

The soon to be former Fine Gael TD sensationally announced at lunchtime that he’s leaving the party and resigning his Dáil seat.

George Lee says the nine months he’s spent in Fine Gael were “personally unfulfilling”.

“I’m not prepared to live” he said – giving his verdict on his nine months in Fine Gael and eight in the Dáil.

The celebrity candidate who stormed to victory in the by-election has had enough.

“I didn’t say I needed to be on the front bench; I was being offered a position on the front bench. I wanted a meaningful involvement in the policy formulation – that did not require being on the front bench – it required just having an input, that’s all I was looking for” he said.

“It wasn’t happening, it didn’t happen” he added.

George wanted a role in the here and now – in a statement, Enda Kenny says he had one – in the background preparing policy for the next election.

In the Dublin South Constituency where he won hearts and minds across the political divide, some feel let down.

George remains a TD until his resignation’s announced when the Dáil sits tomorrow afternoon.