Jesse Mulligan leaves Seven Sharp

Jesse Mulligan.

Comedian Jesse Mulligan has announced that he will leave TVNZ show Seven Sharp at the end of this week.

Mulligan made the announcement on-air this evening.

"This is gonna be my last week on Seven Sharp. I'm very sad to have to report that. I love this show and I love working on it. But it's time for me to move on to some new challenges. So Thursday's going to be my last show - I'll have more to say about it then.''

He was the last original host of the show, which premiered in February last year.

In a statement released this evening, he said he was "sad but excited" to announce that he was leaving the show.

"I've had a ridiculously good time making this show, but now it's time to get back to my comedy roots. Hosting Best Bits has reminded me how much fun a live audience can be, and I leave Seven Sharp very confident that the brilliant Mike and Toni will continue taking the show from strength to strength."

Thursday will be Mulligan's last show, but he will continue to host Best Bits for TVNZ.

TVNZ said the show was not looking for a replacement for Mulligan on the presenting panel, with co-hosts Mike Hosking and Toni Street remaining with the programme.