Jim Parsons' decision to walk away from The Big Bang Theory is reportedly what spelled the end of the popular show.
It was announced on Wednesday, that after 11 years on the air, The Big Bang Theory would bow out after the end of its upcoming 12th season next year.
The series, which has bagged a Golden Globe and 10 Emmys, made household names out of core cast members Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar, who now command nearly $1 million per episode.
Despite the fact that he would have banked more than $50 million signing on for another two seasons, which network CBS was apparently trying to negotiate, Entertainment Weekly reports that Parsons felt it was the right time to say goodbye to his on-screen alter ego, Sheldon Cooper.
The 45-year-old is yet to comment on the end of the long-running series, though Cuoco was quick to tell her Instagram followers she was "drowning in tears" over the news.
Nayyar also commented, writing on the photo sharing site: "There are no words in any language that can describe what my heart wants to say… The love that I feel for all of you is boundless. Without you the fans there would be no us. Tonight I sleep with a prayer of gratitude on my lips. This isn't goodbye… yet… still 23 eps to shoot!"
Filming for series 12 kicked off earlier this week, with the first episode hitting screens in September.