The 61-year-old has hosted a range of popular programs on Rai. He had been the presenter and artistic director of the iconic Sanremo Music Festival for the last five years.
He becomes the latest in a string of top TV stars to have left the broadcaster over the last few years. Last summer journalist Bianca Berlinguer quit Rai after 34 years and joined Mediaset. Fabio Fazio, whose show was not renewed and moved to the Warner BrosDiscovery Nove channel, said he was a victim of an alleged purge by the government. Former Rai president and veteran journalist Annunziata also quitcomplaining about government meddling. Amadeus is tipped to move to Nove too. The full interview will be broadcast on Rai TV at 9pm on Tuesday, November 14. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.