Aisha Tyler announces exit from 'The Talk': 'Hardest decision of my life'

June 16 (UPI) -- Aisha Tyler announced on The Talk Thursday that she is set to exit the daytime talk show after six years due to her busy schedule.

"I just realized I had to let something go," the actress said to co-hosts Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, and Sheryl Underwood.

"And it's been the hardest decision of my life because you guys are my family and I love being with you every day, you know that... Our friendships are so precious to me, and the thing I'm going to miss most is all of the time we get to spend together when we're not on camera," she continued.

Tyler she would be exiting The Talk at the end of its current season.

"We've had babies and weddings, and you know good things have happened, and you know I went through the biggest breakup of my life with you. I could not have done this without you. I'll never be able to thank you guys enough," she said.

Tyler, a series regular on Criminal Minds, host of The CW's Whose Line Is It Anyway? and voice of Lana Kane on FX's Archer, said that she wants to further pursue directing following the release of her directorial debut Axis, which won the Filmmaker's Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

"I've always dreamt of this and I didn't know how it would go, but it was one of the best experiences of my life," Tyler shared.

She said she would return to the show to promote any upcoming film and television projects.

"Throughout her six seasons, [Tyler] has made incredible contributions and shared personal moments, making our viewers, cast and crew all laugh, cry and think, as a result of her signature wit, intelligence, and openness . . .We love Aisha and she will always be a part of our family, with a seat waiting for her at The Talk anytime she wants to visit," EVP of daytime programs at CBS Angelica McDaniel said in a statement.