TV legend Chris Tarrant has revealed the emotional reason he walked away from the small screen after more than half a century in the spotlight. The iconic presenter, 78, became a household name thanks to kids' classic Tiswas in the 1970s before going on to front ITV's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for 16 years - one of the biggest quiz shows in British television history. But now, after 52 years in the business, Tarrant says he's called time on his TV career for good - and the reason is both heartbreaking and deeply personal.

Speaking to MailOnline, he said: "52 years is a long time on air. I loved what I did. I had a really good time. But I went to the funerals of five really good mates, who were about the same age as me, and I thought, 'I don't know how long I've got left in life, but I don't want to spend it locked away in a studio.'"

One of those friends was fellow broadcasting legend Sir Terry Wogan, who died in 2016 aged 77 - a year younger than Tarrant is now.

The former Millionaire host also revealed that he first considered stepping back in 2014 after suffering a mini-stroke, which left him requiring long-term therapy.

He told the publication: "I had a lucky escape. I can chat to you now, [my body] is working. But I did have to have speech therapy. It took a while to get everything back. It was scary."

The beloved broadcaster continued to present his documentary series Extreme Railway Journeys until 2020, but his on-screen appearances have become increasingly rare since the pandemic. His final TV credit came in 2021's Britain's Biggest 1970s Hits.

In a previous interview with The Mirror, he explained how the Covid lockdown forced him to re-evaluate his life. "I've stopped working. 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? I've done lots of things that I've been putting off, and those have been great."

Those postponed adventures included a safari with his grandchildren, a trip to Borneo with his wife Jane, and even photographing bears in Alaska.

He added: "I went on safari with my two eldest grandkids. [Wife] Jane and I have just come back from Borneo. I've just come back from photographing bears in Alaska. Why the hell would I go for work for?"

Despite announcing his retirement late last year, Tarrant revealed he's still being offered gigs - including one of the biggest shows on TV.

He admitted he turned down a hosting offer from The Masked Singer and said he has no interest in returning to travel shows where he would be told "where to go, what to do and, you know, schedules."