Springer off America's Got Talent

Springer replaced Regis Philbin as host in 2007

Talk show host Jerry Springer has announced that he is to leave hit US TV show America's Got Talent.

He said in a statement he was departing because of other commitments including his talk show and a stage role in a forthcoming play.

He acted as host of the last two seasons of the show, replacing Regis Philbin, who fronted the first series.

Ventriloquist Terry Fator won in 2008, impressing judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff.

'Amazing ride'

Springer, who did not reveal any further details of his plans to appear on stage, called his time on the show "an amazing ride".

His replacement for the fourth season, due to air in the summer, has yet to be announced.

The format for the show, owned by the UK's Fremantle Media and Simon Cowell's Syco TV, has been produced in a number of different countries including the UK.

The second series of Britain's Got Talent was won by teenage breakdancer George Sampson last year.

Last month, model and actress Kelly Brook was axed as a judge on Britain's Got Talent six days after being unveiled as a new member of the panel alongside Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden.

After she joined the judges for auditions in Manchester, the show's producers decided the new panel was too "complicated".