Shemar Moore has announced officially that he will be leaving Y&R when his contract expires in April. The Emmy nominated actor is quick to point out that he did not arrive at this decision easily. "I've done a lot of soul searching," he says, "I really had to look at my career and my future. Timing is everything."

This certainly appears to be Moore's time. In recent months he's been appearing on primetime sitcoms and dramas and has landed the high profile job as the host of Soul Train. But he is quick to attest that without Y&R he wouldn't be in this position. "Without Malcolm I wouldn't have the opportunities that I have now. And in no way do I want to imply that I'm not happy with the show," he says, "I've been very blessed to have been on Y&R for six years. But I have other goals and for me to sign on for another three years would jeopardize my future. "

Although Y&R wouldn't comment, rumor has it that the role will be recast. A move that Moore admits would be unsettling. "I'm not gonna like turning on the TV and see someone else doing what I did for so long," he admits, "But I'd get over it. Its a business and the show must go on. My ego would like them not to recast but it's really their call. I'd love to know that there's an open door for me to come back...so long as they don't kill off Malcolm, there's always the chance that I might return."