By Peter Bowes In Los Angeles

Frasier star Kelsey Grammer is preparing to wind up his Emmy-winning sitcom.

Since 1993, the Seattle-based comedy, featuring Grammer's pompous radio psychiatrist character, Dr Frasier Crane, has ruled the TV airwaves in the US.

The series made history by becoming the first show to achieve a record five consecutive Emmy wins for outstanding comedy series.

But when the latest batch of TV gongs are handed out next month, Frasier will not be in the running for best comedy - as it has been for the past eight years.

The writing is on the wall for the show and Grammer knows it is time to move on as the series approaches its "natural conclusion".

I probably can't find a show as good as Frasier and that is probably why I shouldn't do another one

Kelsey Grammer

"I'm not going to be an actor on a show for much longer," he says.

"I'm really doing my best to engineer what will be the next manifestation of my career which will not necessarily be on a television show but producing something."

While Frasier no longer rules the roost in terms of TV's top honours, it remains a major audience winner and attracts considerable critical acclaim.

While missing from the outstanding series category, it is sitting on nine Emmy nominations this year, including a ninth consecutive mention for Grammer as the best lead comedy actor.

Grammer holds the prestigious honour of being the first actor in TV history to receive multiple Emmy nominations for performing the same role on three series.

New direction

Dr Frasier Crane first appeared on Cheers and also made a guest appearance on Wings.

The next series of Frasier premi�res in September on US TV. Grammer says the main characters will move into a new phase in their lives.

Grammer set an Emmys record

"Niles and Daphne are going finally to get married - that presents a whole new set of problems for them to deal with," he says.

"They have to now co-habit which means that Frasier has a free room - so what we basically do is explore two households."

Grammer says Frasier will continue to run for the next two or three years.

"I probably can't find a show as good as Frasier and that is probably why I shouldn't do another one," he says.

The 47-year-old performer is the highest paid actor on US TV - reportedly receiving $1.6m per episode.

He acknowledges that life cannot get much better: "How does the fairy tale end?

"What happens to the guy who got everything he ever wanted? He lived happily ever after. I'm okay," he says.

Film-maker

But while wealthy and content, Grammer remains hungry for success in new areas of entertainment.

In the "next phase" of his life he plans to direct films and become a major behind-the-scenes force in US TV production.

I'm not going to quit acting because that's what I do - but that's what also makes me qualified to be a producer

Kelsey Grammer

"One of my dreams is to make a good movie - a memorable good movie.

"As an actor you have a dream of creating a memorable character - or several characterisations and I've had that opportunity."

Grammer, who has a goal of developing 10 successful TV shows, says his ambitions are simply an attempt to keep life fresh.

"You set new challenges, new goals," he explains.

"I have a new baby, I have what is becoming an empire of television programming - I have to attend to these things."

In developing his new programmes, Grammer says his fundamental rule is that the shows should be "believable".

"I'm not very big on shows without an emotional underpinning that underscore the comedy," he explains.

"If that doesn't exist then you're asking the actors to be liars, basically."

"It's an awakening challenge," he adds. "I'm not going to quit acting because that's what I do - but that's what also makes me qualified to be a producer."