Alison Sweeney leaves 'The Biggest Loser'

Alison Sweeney has left NBC series The Biggest Loser.

Producers confirmed the 38-year-old actress' departure to news outlets this week, saying, "After an incredible run together, Alison Sweeney will not be returning as host of The Biggest Loser next season." Season 17 will begin filming in September.

Sweeney joined the reality competition in season 4, and hosted the program for eight years. News of her exit comes over a year after longtime trainer Jillian Michaels quit the show. Michaels was replaced by Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom in season 16.

Sweeney is best known for portraying Samantha "Sami" Brady" on NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. The actress will star in two upcoming Hallmark movies: Love on the Air, which premieres Sept. 26, and the Murder She Baked sequel Nov. 15.

 Alison Sweeney (born Alison Ann Sweeney; September 19, 1976) is an American dramatic actress and reality show host. Sweeney is best known for her portrayal of Samantha "Sami" Brady Hernandez on NBC's long running Days of our Lives, a role she has played under contract with the show since January 6, 1993. In this role, she has earned four Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Fan Voted Daytime Emmy Award. In 2007, she became the host of The Biggest Loser.