Alison Sweeney leaving 'Days of Our Lives'

Alison Sweeney announced Tuesday she is leaving the U.S. soap opera "Days of Our Lives" after 21 years. Sweeney, 37, originated the "Days" role of Samantha "Sami" Brady when she was a teen and has been the host of the weight-themed reality show "The Biggest Loser" since 2007. "I have never had more than a two-week vacation [since starting on 'Days'] in that whole time and, yeah, it's awesome," Sweeney said on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." "I I love Sami, I love Salem, I love my job, I love daytime, I love the fans, I love everything about it," Sweeney said, adding she simply wants to spend more time with her family. "My daughter just turned 5 and my son is 9, and I just want to be with them and enjoy my last year."