Ryan Seacrest is coming back to “American Idol” next year.
ABC announced Seacrest will return to the show, despite rumors that he had quit the show following a press announcement that didn’t include his name, according to USA Today.
“‘American Idol’ has been my home for 17 seasons and I can’t wait to return to the stage,” said Seacrest, according to Deadline. “It’s the greatest gift to be able to play a part in discovering new talent with a franchise that has been such a relevant part of American culture for so many years.”
Seacrest has hosted “Idol” since its debut on Fox in 2002. He stayed onboard after “American Idol” jumped from Fox to ABC last year.
Seacrest was going through a contract negotiation. ABC’s President of Entertainment Karey Burke revealed this summer that the network had not finalized a deal with Seacrest during their summer press tour.
“We’re in ongoing conversations about Ryan returning and I am hopeful,” she said at the time, according to Deadline.
Burke said she’s happy Seacrest will return.
“We are delighted that our entire Idol dream team will be reuniting for the upcoming season on ABC,” said Burke. “Ryan has been hosting Idol since the beginning, and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the show after 17 seasons are remarkable. We can’t wait to see what’s in store as Ryan, our superstar judges and in-house mentor set out on their nationwide search for the next great music sensation.”
Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and in-house mentor Bobby Bones will all be on the show.
Seacrest also stars on “Live With Kelly and Ryan” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest,” according to New York Daily News.