Chelsea Handler has announced her decision to leave her post as talkshow host on E!'s Chelsea Lately, which will reportedly come to a close in August. The news was confirmed by the channel on Wednesday after months of speculation over Handler's plans to split from E!.

"I myself am more surprised than anyone that I was able to hold down a job for seven years, and it was a fantastic seven years," she said in a statement. "I will always look back at my time on E! as most people look back at their time in college. I'm glad I went."

It's currently unclear where Chelsea will appear next though she has indicated that she'd like to play a part in appointing a similarly funny female presenter to take her space in late night programming.

More: Chelsea Handler - a career guide.

"If I decided not to do late night anymore, being the only woman in late night, it would be a problem, because then I'm leaving that space empty," she told Piers Morgan earlier this year. "So I kind of have to find someone to replace me," she remarked, adding "So that's what I'm doing right now."

Whilst this doesn't mean that Handler will be directly involved in the development process for the new show, the cable channel will surely be looking to replicate the magnetism and versatility of Handler as a host. Suzanne Kolb, the president of E!, praised Handler for adding "a distinct voice to late night with her acerbic wit and fearless commentary."

More: Chelsea Handler declares preference for casual sex.

It has been speculated that Handler's push to leave came from declining ratings and a general sense of discontent on the channel. In March she told Howard Stern that the channel had become "a sad, sad place to live," adding, "They don't know what they're doing. They have no ideas. It's a failure."

Chelsea's manager Irving Azoff, who suggested the coming split months ago, said that he had been hired to "figure out her life after E!" Hinting at plans for a radio presence or another late night show on another channel, the manager added "We have at least seven suitors and many ideas," via THR.

While E! develops a possible new late-night show, it will run "E! News" at 11 p. m. The Chelsea Lately finale date will be the 26th August.

Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler WIll Be Stepping Out Into The Unknown After Leaving Her 'Chelsea Lately' Show.