Blake Shelton out as Academy of Country Music Awards co-host

Luke Bryan is searching for a new co-host of the Academy of Country Music Awards following news his pal Blake Shelton has decided not to return for next year's (16) ceremony.

The country music stars have been emceeing the prizegiving together since 2013, but in a video posted by the awards organisation on Monday (14Dec15), Bryan reveals Shelton will not be joining him for the 51st annual ceremony.

In the video, Bryan tells a mystery man behind the counter of a bar, "I'll tell ya what I really need, a new co-host for the ACM Awards. Somebody that loves country music, somebody that I'm a little better lookin' than - kinda like last year. Somebody who wants to dance, sing, party in Vegas. There's gotta be somebody out there."

Editors at Taste Of Country suggest Dierks Bentley has been tapped to replace Shelton as presenter, since the mystery bartender sounds just like the singer.

Before teaming up with Bryan, Shelton co-hosted the ACM Awards with Reba McEntire in 2011 and 2012.

The 2016 ACM Awards will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on 3 April (16).