Chris Tarrant announced he has retired from TV after 50 years. (Image: PA)
Former host of Chris Tarrant has confirmed that he’s decided to retire from television after 50 years. The presenter explained that his choice was influenced by the pandemic and its impact on his perspective of time.
“I’ve stopped,” the 78-year-old announced, putting an end to his 50-year broadcasting career and confirming his retirement.
“Lockdown started to get everything in a bit perspective and I thought, I’ve done this thing for 50 years, I don’t need the money, without sounding silly… why am I still doing this?”
He told at the TRIC Awards Christmas lunch at the Londoner Hotel: “I’ve done lots of things that I’ve been putting off instead that have been great.
“I went on safari with my two eldest grandkids. Jane and I’ve just come back from Borneo. I’ve just come back from photographing bears in Alaska. Why the hell would I go for work for?”
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Chris Tarrant is best known for presenting Tiswas and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (Image: Getty)
Despite hosting an Extreme Railways series, Chris declined that he would be interested in another travel show.
He said: “It’s nicer when you’re not being told where to go what to do,” reports .
He is also not keen on reality TV, even though he was approached to appear on .
“I actually don’t miss it,” he admits. “I had a great time. I’ve had a brilliant life.”
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Chris said he won’t return to TV. (Image: Getty)
Chris has been a regular fixture on TV screens since 1972, fronting popular programmes such as Tiswas, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
His last regular presenting gig, Extreme Railways, has not returned since 2019, despite building a large fanbase.
, Chris said: “We stopped [Extreme Railways] because of but we sort of talk about doing some more next year, but I’m not sure.
“I’m becoming very lazy! I’ve just come back from safari in Africa and I’m going fishing in France at the end of next week, then I’m off to the Caribbean, and I’m thinking, ‘Do I really want to do a day’s work?’
“I did work like a dog for a very, very long time, so I think, maybe it’s time I had a bit of space in my life. If one or two things came up that I really fancied doing then I’d do them, but no I don’t think so.”
In 2022, the TV veteran took in three Ukrainian refugees who fled their country following ’s invasion.
After living with Chris and wife Jane for the best part of a year, the Tiswas star bought a flat in Newbury for the grandmother, mother and baby to live.
Sharing an update with us, Chris said that the mother and grandmother now have jobs, are learning to speak English and made Chris godfather to the baby.
: “They are just such a nice family, and the husband Alex, bless him, he’s still fighting in the Donbas which is pretty scary.
“They just want to go home, bless them. It’s hard for me to get my head around but it’s their home and a lot of their friends at home have died or been wounded, it’s very difficult for them.”