Frasier leaves the building

Kelsey Grammer made it official this week when he announced that after 20 years as Frasier Crane - the character who first introduced on the hit long-running show Cheers - he is ready to retire the character.

"It ends next year, and we've discussed it," said Grammer in an interview. "We think it's time to let Frasier go off into some other world. Somewhere where his life goes on. But we'll end it with dignity.

"It's been a great run for me," continued Grammer. "I mean, it was really lucky. Twenty years … it's like being a cop, and then I'm gonna quit."

The show has won a record 30 Emmy awards, and next season Grammer will have played the same character on prime time television for 20 years - another record.

"I've had an image for what the last show should be for the last 11 years," said Grammer. "And so I think that's what we're going to do."