Ryan Seacrest to quit American Idol: reports

The 39-year-old star, who has hosted the reality singing competition since its first season in 2002, apparently wants to shift before the FOX series is cancelled due to declining ratings, reported Contactmusic.

TV host Ryan Seacrest is reportedly planning to quit American Idol. The 39-year-old star, who has hosted the reality singing competition since its first season in 2002, apparently wants to shift before the FOX series is cancelled due to declining ratings, reported Contactmusic.

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"Ryan is telling friends that this season of 'Idol' is likely to be his last. He's lost the passion for it, and desperately wants to do different things at this point in his career, like produce the Oscars and start developing more of his original ideas," a source said.

The presenter, who also hosts red carpet coverage at major award shows, is also coming to the end of his two-year contract with 'American Idol' and is ready to focus on his career as a producer.

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"Ryan's reduced role in this year's Emmys red carpet coverage is a clear move toward a life that involves less hosting and more producing. He wants to transition to behind the scenes more, and is getting fed up with the 'interviewing people' part of his job, when his heart is really in the work he does as a producer "This season of 'Idol' going to be a real endurance test for Ryan. 'Idol' is holding him back right now, but it's also the most money he's ever been paid for anything, so he has to be a politician about it," the source added.