Reba Will Not Return to Co-Host ACM Awards

Reba has revealed that for the first time in over a decade, she will not return to host the Academy of Country Music Awards show next April. The singer broke the news to countryweekly.com when asked if she would be back to co-host with Blake Shelton, who first joined her in 2011, for next year’s show.

“No. [I’ve] passed the torch to Blake. I’m a huge Blake Shelton fan,” was Reba’s reply.

The Academy of Country Music has issued a statement backing Reba’s decision and hinting at exciting plans in the works for Shelton at the 2013 Awards.

“Reba has hosted the ACM Awards a record 14 times since 1986, and we fully understand and support her decision to focus her energies on her new television project,” said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “We’ve known about this for a while and have something very special planned with Blake returning—he’s got something big up his sleeve!—that we’ll be announcing soon. Stay tuned!”

Reba’s new television show Malibu Country is scheduled to premiere on ABC Friday, November 2 at 7:30 pm/CT.