Just two weeks after rumors surfaced that Michelle Collins would be leaving The View, the daytime talk show made it official.
The View's executive producer, Candi Carter, broke the news to the show's staff in a letter sent out late Thursday night. "I have some bittersweet news to share -- Michelle Collins is leaving the show," she wrote. "A gracious presence on stage and off, she asked smart questions, made us laugh and will always be part of The View family. We wish her great success with some exciting new projects ahead."
Carter added that Collins would be in the office next week to say goodbye to the staff. However, a source close to The View tells ET that Collins will not be on the show again as she "wants to focus on other projects." The source adds that the ABC program would "be happy to have her back on the show down the line."
On Thursday night, Collins Instagrammed a joke about former View co-host, Rosie O'Donnell. "Just a coupla Rosé O'Donnells," she quipped.
A photo posted by Michelle Collins (@michcoll) on
Collins also released a statement via Instagram on Friday. "Well, the news is out: I'm leaving The View. Yes, I'm officially the newest member of the 'One Seasoner' club, the latest graduate of talk show boot camp, ending what has been, simply put, the most surreal and fabulous year of my life," she wrote. "I want to say a big thanks to EVERYONE at the show... They're an incredibly hard-working group of talented people. Special thanks to Whoopi [Goldberg] for always having my back, and, you know, being an icon."
She concluded: "And to all of you; I see your tweets, I see your messages, and I'm sending you all the heart emojis. Many exciting things await, can't wait to share everything with you!"
My very first official statement #chic
A photo posted by Michelle Collins (@michcoll) on
ET has reached out to Collins for further comment.
The 34-year-old comedian joined the show's 19th season in July 2015 following a light trial run in which her brand of commentary and humor were well-received. However, since the beginning of 2016, Collins' co-hosting duties on the show have been noticeably dwindling down to just one or two appearances a week.
During her short time on the program, Collins' comments sparked not one, but two major controversies for the daytime series. ABC lost advertisers in September following a discussion on the show, where Collins criticized nurses. Then in October, she came under fire for mocking Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina's face.
The latest staffing shakeup comes after a few rocky seasons on The View due to the departures of co-hosts Rosie O'Donnell, Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez following Barbara Walters' retirement. The series currently features Whoopi Goldberg as moderator, and permanent co-hosts Joy Behar, Candace Cameron Bure, Paula Faris and Raven-Symoné.
