But the 76-year-old said he had no plans to retire, as long as the public still wanted him.

The veteran all-round entertainer, who is working on his 36th album, said he missed the excitement of one-man concerts.

He also revealed he is in talks about a role in a major West End stage production, but kept tight-lipped about further details, only saying: "It's something I've been keen to do."

O'Connor said he had also been writing children's stories and poems, as his son Adam, who turns four later this year, asked his father to tell him tales. He said that stories he had written included one about a dancing duck and another about a donkey with a wooden leg.

O'Connor said of his time on Countdown: "It's been wonderful hosting a programme which is part of TV folklore. I have really enjoyed my two years with the show and I would like to thank all concerned at Channel 4.

"I've made a lot of new friends. Carol Vorderman has been a joy... it's been a giggle since day one. But I miss the thrill of stepping out on a live stage for the one-man concerts and the challenge of live TV entertainment-based shows."

O'Connor said his album, with the working title Setting New Standards, was being recorded with producer and songwriter Alan Hawkshaw, who has written for Barbra Streisand - as well as writing music for Countdown.

O'Connor said he had had a "fantastic" time in Leeds, where the show is filmed and he would be able to see more of his family, who are based in Buckinghamshire, after leaving. He described Adam as "such a joy".

O'Connor, who also runs his own production company, said: "There are just so many things being offered to me. It just seemed to be the right time."



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