Meredith Vieira leaving 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

Meredith Vieira is to leave the syndicated version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.

Producers of the gameshow confirmed on Thursday (January 10) that Vieira will continue through the current season, before handing the show over to a new host.



A spokesperson for ABC said in a press statement: "It's the final year of Meredith's contract.

"She has chosen to move on and pursue other opportunities. We are searching for a new host."

Vieira joined the syndicated Who Wants to be a Millionaire? in 2002, replacing original host Regis Philbin.

Philbin had initially hosted the primetime version of the game from 1999 to 2002.

The eleventh season of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'s syndicated series premiered in September 2012.