Eddie Murphy returning to 'SNL' for 40th anniversary special

Los Angeles: Actor Eddie Murphy is set to make a come back to 'Saturday Night Live' more than 30 years after he left the show.

The 53-year-old funnyman announced during an interview with TV One's "News One Now" that he would return for the show's 40th anniversary special which is set to air February 15 on NBC, reported Ace Showbiz.

"It's just timing. It just never worked out where the timing was right for me to do it," he said.

When the host asked why he never appeared on the sketch series in three decades, he said, "Actually, they're having a 40th anniversary thing in two weeks, I'm going to that. And that will be the first time that I've been back since I left."

Murphy joined "SNL" in 1980 and left after four seasons in 1984. During his time on the show, he was famous for his portrayals of Mister Rogers, Gumby and 'Little Rascals' character Buckwheat.