'Days' star Sweeney replaces Rhea

NBC's weight-loss reality show "The Biggest Loser" is gaining a new host.

Alison Sweeney, a star of the network's daytime drama "Days of Our Lives," will replace Caroline Rhea as host of the show next season. New episodes begin filming in the spring, with a likely airdate in the fall.

Rhea, who hosted the show's first three seasons, has left "The Biggest Loser" to work on other projects.

"Alison is an incredible talent and will bring not only a great fresh face to the show but a huge, loyal fan base," executive producer Ben Silverman says. "We are thrilled and look forward to another strong season."

The 30-year-old Sweeney has played Sami Brady on "Days of Our Lives" since 1993. During that time she's won several Soap Opera Digest Awards, including one for best supporting actress in 2005, and a fan award of "America's Favorite Villain" at the 2002 Daytime Emmys. She's also made guest appearances on "Friends" and "Las Vegas," among other shows.

Sweeney, who's been acting since she was a child, has also struggled with her own weight in the past. She wrote about the issue in her memoir "All the Days of My Life (So Far)," which was published in 2004.