David Letterman given standing ovation as he announces he is leaving the Late Show

David Letterman has announced that he will retire as host of the Late Show next year, after 22 years at its helm.
The beloved host shared the news with his audience at the taping of the show on Thursday afternoon. It will air at 11.35pm EST.

As he thanked the network and his fans, Letterman joked that he planned to retire so 'Paul and I can be married' - a reference to his music director Paul Shaffer, who has worked with him for 27 years.

'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,' Letterman said.
'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".




'I just want to reiterate my thanks for the support from the network, all of the people who have worked here, all of the people in the theater, all the people on the staff, everybody at home, thank you very much.

'What this means now, is that Paul and I can be married,' he added, as his announcement was greeted with a standing ovation at the Ed Sullivan Theater.

Letterman did not give a date for his departure, saying only that it would be in 'the not too distant future, 2015'.

LETTERMAN'S MOMENTS

Letterman had filmed 4,014 shows when he announced his plans to retire. CBS has released a few of the highlights from those:

August 30, 1993 More than 23 million viewers tune in for the premiere of The Late Show with David Letterman. Guests included Bill Murray, Billy Joel and Paul Newman.

March 31, 1994 Madonna's appearance becomes the most censored episode of any American talk show after her excessive use of expletives.

April 12, 1995  Acress Drew Barrymore flashes her breasts at a stunned Letterman.

December 31, 1999 The Late Show welcomes in the new millennium with a prime-time special.

February 21, 2000 On his first show after having heart surgery Letterman brings in his doctors and nurses to thank them.

September 17, 2001 Letterman's first show after the 9/11 terror attacks airs. It later wins an Emmy and is hailed as being a valuable service to the city.

November 4, 2003 Letterman proudly announces the birth of his first son, Harry.

May 9, 2006 Britney Spears announces she is having a second baby on the show, telling Letterman:'Don’t worry, Dave. It’s not yours.'

September 19, 2012 President Obama appears on the show in the midst of his reelection campaign.

April 9, 2013 Lindsay Lohan gives an emotional interview about her rehab.

February 9, 2014 CBS airs Letterman’s interview with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at the Ed Sullivan Theater – in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ American television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.

April 2, 2014 Letterman and Bill Murray join Lady Gaga in leading the entire audience from the Ed Sullivan Theater to the soon-to-close Roseland Ballroom for a surprise concert