Reba McEntire Will Not Return to Host 2013 ACM Awards

Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN

It's official, the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards will not be hosted by Reba McEntire. The 57-year-old country star has decided to end her run as a host for the prestigious awarding show for country music world.

The "How Blue" singer stepped aside from the hosting duty for ACM Awards after tackling it for 14 times. She would pass the torch to Blake Shelton, who also served as her co-host at the last two editions of ACM Awards. Shelton was confirmed to return for next year's show.

Commenting on McEntire's departure, ACM CEO Bob Romeo said that the Academy "fully understand and support" her decision to focus on her TV show "Malibu Country". There's still no word on who is going to be Shelton's co-host to replace McEntire for next year's show. Still, Romeo teased that Shelton has "got something big up his sleeve."

McEntire's first hosting stint at the ACM Awards was in 1986. Helping the rating growth of the show's telecast, the Oklahoma native continued to host the prize-giving show every year since 1999. The 2013 ACM Awads is scheduled to be held next spring in Las Vegas.