TV legend reveals he has retired after 50 amazing years on screen

CHRIS Tarrant has officially retired from TV after 50 years. 

The broadcast legend’s last project was his six series run Extreme Railways on Channel 5.

But since 2020 he has only taken talking head slots or interview appearances. 

Now he has officially downed tools after a rich and varied career.

Asked if he had retired, Chris, 78, told The Sun: “Yes. I’ve stopped.

“I mean I think lockdown really, you just started to get everything in a bit perspective and I thought, I’ve done this thing for 50 years.

“You know, I don’t need the money, without sounding silly. So I was thinking, why am I still doing this?”

Chris appeared on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend in 2023 and a compilation show, Britain’s Favourite Sitcoms. 

But since making his decision, he’s filled his time with travel. 

He said at the TRICS Christmas lunch: “I’ve done lots of things that I’ve been putting off instead that have been great.

“Like, last year, I went on safari with my two eldest grandkids, which you just never have time to do that stuff. 

“My wife Jane and I've just come back from Borneo, where I’ve always wanted to go and I’ve just come back from photographing bears in Alaska. So, why the hell would I go to work?”

Chris’ big TV break came in 1974 on kids show Tiswas, then roles on Capital FM and as launch presenter of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Followed. 

And he’s still offered today. 

He said: “My agent still gets offered all sorts of rubbish. The Masked Singer? No thank you! I turned that down.”

Chris wouldn’t even fancy a travel show - something older stars like Joanna Lumley have continued to take on. 

He added: “It's nicer when you're not being told where to go, what to do and you know schedules.

"I actually don’t miss it. I had a great time. 

“I still see a lot of my mates, you know, for Capital Radio we do a lost lunch - it’s the day after tomorrow (Thurs). 

“I probably socialise more with the Capital guys than any actually but I still see the tiswas lot and I still see some of the Millionaire lot. 

"But the Capital lot, we had such a brilliant time. We had such a gang.”