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There has been tremendous speculation ever since last year’s finale of “Saturday Night Live” that the incredibly talented Darrell Hammond was leaving the show. His absence in the opening credits this season and SNL’s silence on the matter has only added fuel to the rumors.

Well, Gossip Cop can give you the exclusive scoop. When we reached out to Hammond today – on his birthday – the veteran comedian told us that he “retired from the show last year.” That’s right, he officially left the show.

But hold on… Hammond, who did a hysterical impersonation of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on “Weekend Update” last Saturday, is going to occasionally do “spots” on the late-night sketch show. He told Gossip Cop that he’s “going on a case by case basis.” He’s already done four guest gigs on SNL, including the Thursday primetime shows, and says, “I expect to do a lot more.”

Hammond told Gossip Cop SNL has “been a home to me.”