E! News is saying farewell to a much-loved member of the family.
Terrence Jenkins announced today that he'll be leaving the show after almost three years as co-anchor to focus on acting and producing full-time, describing his decision to take this next step as "exciting but also bittersweet."
The actor and author joined E! in 2012, first hosting the news alongside Giuliana Rancic and then with Maria Menounos since this past summer.
"I started hosting when I was 16 years old back in North Carolina, and I've been now on national television for over 10 years," he said Tuesday on E! News. "Seventeen years, that's a long time, and I think in order for someone to grow it's important that you try new things and you create new challenges, create new dreams for yourself."
"I took some time off this summer and I produced and I starred in my first feature film, and I'm really excited about it and it's coming out at the top of the year. It's called The Perfect Match. I knew I would have to leave to go on a promo run for that...I've had a lot of opportunities come in in the acting space, both behind the camera and in front of the camera. And so, with all of that said, I wanted to announce today that I'll be leaving E! News."
Choosing to leave the show is "a decision that I've thought about long and hard," Terrence, who was joined by Maria, Catt Sadler and Jason Kennedy as he made his announcement, continued. "I love you guys to the bottom of my heart. I love this crew, I love working with you guys; but it's important I grow and I wanted to leave on my own terms and when I was ready.
"Tomorrow's going to be my last day. I didn't want to do the long, drawn-out goodbye 'cause then I knew Jason would do the man-tear thing and I didn't want him to have to convince me to stay," he smiled.
"But I just want to thank you guys, for everybody that watches the show that has supported me over the years. Just thank you guys from the bottom of my heart."
"I just want to say," Jason said, "you have been an absolute pleasure to work with—but more importantly than all of that, you have been such an incredible friend to me since you walked in here a few years ago."
He added, "You are family here and you will always be family here, and when you've got another hit movie coming out, you come back here and you promote it any time you want."
Maria echoed the sentiment, praising Terrence as "such a class act."
"You know I don't like goodbyes, Terrence, but let's just celebrate you—can we do that for the next 24 hours?" Catt offered. "Let's celebrate your talent and your gift and your friendship...but that's not going to end."
"No, it won't," Terrence assured the group. "We love you, man," Jason added.
Terrence, whose previous movies include Think Like a Man, Think Like a Man Too and Baggage Claim, just returned from the Dubai International Film Festival. The Perfect Match is due out in early 2016 and he'll also be appearing on an upcoming episode of the NBC sitcom Truth Be Told. First up, however, he's heading back to the White House this week to host a program focused on arts and entertainment.
Don't miss his last day on E! News, Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. & 11 p.m.
We'll miss you, Terrence J!