By Breaking Celebrity News Staff

It’s the end of an era Friday, as iconic talk show host Regis Philbin calls it a day on his long-running ABC morning show.

The 50+ year show biz mainstay made the landmark announcement he'd be leaving earlier this year, telling viewers "this will be my last year on the show.

"It's been a long time,” he said on his January 18 broadcast. “It's been 28 years and it was the biggest thrill of my life to come back to New York, where I grew up as a kid watching TV in the early days, you know, never even dreaming that I would one day have the ability, or whatever it takes, to get in front of the camera and talk to it.

"There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera -- especially certain old people!" said the venerable showman.

As Breaking Celebrity News previously reported, Regis said “contractual issues” was one of the reasons behind his departure.

“The contractual issue just never worked out, but I was going to leave before that anyway,” Regis told The Mojo in the Morning radio show.

“That's a loss on their part because I've got to admit, it looks to me like they're kind of forcing you out and I think it's a mistake,” radio host Spike responded. “The audience still loves you. Your obviously still ready to work so I don't know why they wouldn't want you.”