Ellen DeGeneres has revealed that she will be ending her eponymous talk show after 18 years.
The 63-year-old announced her decision during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, and reportedly told the show's staff on May 11. The iconic host will reportedly discuss her decision more publicly will fellow talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Ellen's May 13 show.
THR adds that the decision was ultimately down to DeGeneres herself.
DeGeneres also told the outlet:
"When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore."
The Ellen DeGeneres Show will air its final season in 2022, concluding with season 19.
Back in 2018, Ellen had told the New York Times that her wife, Portia de Rossi, has urged her to step-down from the show, which sees her host 180 episodes each year.
In September, DeGeneres finally addressed the allegations of a "toxic workplace" on her talk show in the show's season 18 premiere.
She had been the center of much speculation after a number of people accused her of being at the helm of a workplace that was built upon intimidation, racial insensitivity, and other misconduct.
Now, DeGeneres has addressed the claims and apologized to her co-workers for incidents that "never should have happened".
Watch Ellen's emotional opening monologue below:Ellen started her opening monologue by saying: "If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome.
"How was everybody’s summer, good? Mine was great. Super terrific."
After breaking the ice, the host then directly addressed the "toxic work environment" allegations, saying:
"I learned that things happened here that never should have happened.
"I take that very seriously and I want to say that I am so sorry to the people who were affected.
"I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realize with that power comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."
As of April 9, there have been 3,051 episodes of the show, with it first debuting on September 8, 2003.
