Bill Hader reveals why he isn't taking part in SNL's 50th anniversary show

Bill Hader has revealed why he isn't at SNL's 50th anniversary show as fans were disappointed to see he wasn't on the guest list alongside other major stars from years gone by.

The long-running NBC show is set to celebrate its milestone anniversary with a whole host of celebrity guests in a three-hour special, broadcasting from 8pm EST on - unusually - Sunday, February 16.

Hader enjoyed a hugely successful eight-year stint on the TV sketch show, most notably entertaining the US and beyond as New York City nightclub correspondent Stefon Meyers in his Weekend Update segments.

The star's run on the show earned him an impressive four Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Yet the 46-year-old was noticeably absent from Saturday Night Live's anniversary line-up.

Bill Hader as Stefon during SNL's Weekend Update (NBC)

The show teased its sensational line-up of stars with a short YouTube clip on Monday - but there was no sign of Hader.

The omission didn't slip by eagle-eyed fans, who took to social media to share their disappointment.

Posting to X, one fan wrote: "Where is Bill Hader? I want a Stefon comeback," as a second agreed: "I’m going to crash out if they don’t announce Bill Hader soon."

Unfortunately, though, the Hollywood star won't be appearing on SNL this Sunday.

Hader's publicist, Matt Labov, confirmed to UNILAD Hader's absence was due to a 'longstanding schedule conflict.'

Bill Hader was an SNL fan-favorite (Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The HBO Barry actor left SNL in 2013 and previously revealed to Variety he was 'consumed with work and anxiety.'

Hader said he didn't feel comfortable with the show's live element until five seasons in - and began suffering panic attacks both on and offstage.

Ultimately, he left SNL after the birth of his and now ex-wife Maggie Carey's second child.

He told the publication at the time he doesn't watch his own SNL sketches back.

“Any time someone says things to me that I don’t understand, I go, ‘Did I say that on SNL?’” he said.

“I never saw any of the stuff I did. I think a nanny showed my kids Stefon, or the Californians or something.

"They came in and were like, ‘Dad, look at this.’ I was like, ‘Oh, yeah. There I am.’”

Who is featuring in SNL's 50th Anniversary special?

Sunday's show features a star-studded cast, including Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, Eddie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Molly Shannon, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Laraine Newman, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin and Garrett Morris.

Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Pete Davison, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Will Forte, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, Kenan Thompson, Jason Sudeikis and Chris Rock will also make an appearance.

Stars who've previously taken the reigns as hosts of the show will also return, including Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson.

UNILAD contacted NBC for a comment.