The long-time host of CBS' Late Show, 66-year-old David Letterman, announced during Thursday's taping that he will be retiring in 2015 after 21 years of broadcasting the show. The news leaked when Mike Mills of REM, who was at the taping, tweeted out, "Dave just announced his retirement."

On the program, Letterman stated:

The man who owns this network, Leslie Moonves, he and I have had a relationship for years and years and years, and we have had this conversation in the past, and we agreed that we would work together on this circumstance and the timing of this circumstance. And I phoned him just before the program, and I said "Leslie, it's been great, you've been great, and the network has been great, but I'm retiring."

After thanking his staff and crew, Letterman stated they don't have an exact time set yet, but he will be leaving sometime in 2015. CBS CEO Leslie Moonves has since issued the following statement:

When Dave decided on a one-year extension for his most recent contract, we knew this day was getting closer, but that doesn't make the moment any less poignant for us. For 21 years, David Letterman has graced our Network's air in late night with wit, gravitas and brilliance unique in the history of our medium. During that time, Dave has given television audiences thousands of hours of comedic entertainment, the sharpest interviews in late night, and brilliant moments of candor and perspective around national events.