Bob Barker Retiring

It looks like Bob Barker will be telling a lucky contestant to "come on down" for the last time in June, as Barker told the Associated Press he plans on retiring next year.

"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he told the AP, "and I've decided to retire while I'm still young."

The 35-year host of the popular CBS game show "The Price is Right" has said he has considered retirement for the past ten years.

"I've gone on and on and on to this ancient age because I've enjoyed it," he told the AP. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm going to miss it.

"I'm just reaching the age where the constant effort to be there and do the show physically is a lot for me," he said, according to the wire service. "I might be able to do the show another year, but better (to leave) a year too soon than a year too late."

CBS had already been working on a special to tribute the television legend. The search has been on to find Barker's replacement for "two or three" years, according to Fremantle Media, which owns the show.

"The games have to be just like riding a bicycle," Barker told the AP. "Then he will be relaxed enough to have fun with the audience, to get the laughs with his contestants and make the show more than just straight games, to make it a lot of fun."

Barker added, when it comes to his final show he will sign off the same way he has for years: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."