• by Wayne Friedman , April 28, 2014

Another late night host is leaving: CBS’ Craig Ferguson says he will be stepping down as host of “The Late Late Show” at the end of the year.

Ferguson broke the news on his show on Monday. David Letterman host of the “Late Show,” also made his exit announcement earlier this month on his show. CBS did not reveal future plans about a replacement host.

Ferguson started as “Late Late Show” host in 2005, replacing Craig Kilborn; it airs at 12:35 a.m. following “Late Show.”

Ferguson was rumored from time to time as a possible replacement for Letterman when he retired. Then, once Stephen Colbert was announcement as the replacement for Letterman, talk was that Ferguson might depart “Late Late Show.”

CBS has been the co-producer of “Late Late Show” with Worldwide Pants, David Letterman’s production company.

Ferguson said: “CBS and I are not getting divorced, we are ‘consciously uncoupling,’ but we will still spend holidays together and share custody of the fake horse and robot skeleton, both of whom we love very much.”

Starting in the fall, Ferguson had already announced plans to add to his workload -- as the host of a new Monday-to-Friday syndicated game show, “Celebrity Name Game,” as well as developing other TV projects via his Green Mountain West production company.

“During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30,” stated Nina Tassler, chairman of CBS Entertainment. “He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television.”