Photo by Peter Kramer/NBC

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It was likely a long time coming, but Kenan Thompson is apparently leaving Saturday Night Live at the end of the show's upcoming season.

According to TMZ, the senior player previously wanted to exit last season, but because of the transition and "massive turnover," executive producer Lorne Michaels persuaded Thompson to stay through next spring.

Having joined the NBC sketch comedy series in 2003, next year will mark his 12th year on the show. Upon his departure, Bobby Moynihan (2008) will become the senior player.

TMZ also reports Thompson plans to move to Los Angeles and is working on a new show. Back in 2012, the comedian was reportedly working with NBC on his own series, which didn't pan out.

SNL returns for its 40th season this Saturday with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande.

Update: A spokesperson for Saturday Night Live describes the TMZ report as "incredibly inaccurate. The season hasn’t even started and cast decisions aren’t made until the end of the season."