She's back! Whoopi Goldberg returning to The View for 10th season ...after saying she may leave last year

By Sameer Suri For Dailymail.com

Published: 20:51 EDT, 7 August 2017 | Updated: 00:04 EDT, 8 August 2017

Whoopi Goldberg will reportedly be back on The View for its autumn season - her 10th and the show's 21st overall - though she'd hinted last year that she might leave.

News of the 61-year-old's contract renewal was broken by Variety, which has also pointed out Whoopi's now among the longest-lasting hostesses on the hit series.

Barbara Walters, who was on the ABC show from its start in 1997 until 2014, and Joy Behar, on from 1997 to 2013 and from 2015 to this day, still have a lead on Whoopi.

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Triumphal return: Whoopi Goldberg will reportedly be back on The View for its autumn season - her 10th and the show's 21st overall - though she'd hinted last year that she might leave

Triumphal return: Whoopi Goldberg will reportedly be back on The View for its autumn season - her 10th and the show's 21st overall - though she'd hinted last year that she might leave

Original cast members Meredith Viera and Star Jones each managed nine seasons, departing in 2006, so Whoopi's just now beaten them, as Variety have noted.

Ratings for the show are at a three-year peak, which Variety have attributed to a profusion of attention-grabbing of political stories since Donald Trump took office.

During an interview she gave on The Wendy Williams Show last September, Whoopi had indicated she was mulling a departure from The View after season 20.

Season 20: Whoopi's (second from left) pictured this June with guest Nancy Pelosi (third from right) and co-hostesses (from left) Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, Jedediah Bila and Sara Haines

Season 20: Whoopi's (second from left) pictured this June with guest Nancy Pelosi (third from right) and co-hostesses (from left) Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, Jedediah Bila and Sara Haines

That was the season of The View that was running at the time, and Wendy had broached the subject, saying: 'Whoopi, you've been on The View, and I know you've only signed on - according to what we've talked about - for one more year.'

After Whoopi confirmed that was true, Wendy prodded: 'So, in September, when everyone comes back for the new season, you might not be there,' to which Whoopi replied: 'No, probably not,' prompting Wendy's instant: 'Don't do it.'

'I have to do it, baby,' said Whoopi, and a visibly exasperated Wendy - whose own show premiered its ninth season last September - demanded: 'No - why?'

Sticking it out: News of the 61-year-old's contract renewal was broken by Variety , which has also pointed out Whoopi's now among the longest-lasting hostesses on the hit series

Sticking it out: News of the 61-year-old's contract renewal was broken by Variety , which has also pointed out Whoopi's now among the longest-lasting hostesses on the hit series

Stalwarts: Barbara Walters, who was on the ABC show from its start in 1997 until 2014, and Joy Behar, on from 1997 to 2013 and from 2015 to this day, still have a lead on Whoopi
Stalwarts: Barbara Walters, who was on the ABC show from its start in 1997 until 2014, and Joy Behar, on from 1997 to 2013 and from 2015 to this day, still have a lead on Whoopi

Stalwarts: Barbara Walters, who was on the ABC show from its start in 1997 until 2014, and Joy Behar, on from 1997 to 2013 and from 2015 to this day, still have a lead on Whoopi

'Because I have to go and grow. I got stuff to do. I got movies I need to direct. I got books I gotta finish. This was great, and I love doing it, but it's - you know, it's been a while, and they - they're in their 20th season. They did this without me. I've been here for half of it, but not all of it,' Whoopi insisted, but Wendy was adamant.

'Whoopi, they ally oop the ball to you,' said Wendy to a round of applause from the crowd, and Whoopi responded: 'And now I'm alley ooping elsewhere.'

She did reassure the studio audience: 'But I'm not gone yet, so, you know, I'm still there now. Don't worry about it,' and they gave that a hand as well.

'I have to go and grow': During an interview she gave on The Wendy Williams Show last September, Whoopi had indicated she was considering an exit from The View after season 20

'I have to go and grow': During an interview she gave on The Wendy Williams Show last September, Whoopi had indicated she was considering an exit from The View after season 20

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