Alison Sweeney announced Tuesday she is leaving NBC's "Days of Our Lives" daytime soap opera after 21 years.

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Sweeney, 37, originated the "Days" role of Samantha "Sami" Brady when she was a teen and has also been the host of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" reality competition 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."