Regis Is Done..

Well, it had to happen - After more than 40 years in television, Regis Philbin is retiring from the small screen.

Rege is  77, and made the announcement Tuesday at the start of the long-running "Live with Regis & Kelly."

"This will be my last year on this show ... but there is a time, there is a time that everything needs to come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people," Philbin said.

A choked-up Ripa said Tuesday after Philbin's announcement, "I think I can only speak for America and all of us here when I say that it has been a pleasure and a privilege and a dream come true, and I wish I could do something to make you change your mind."

Rege  has been plagued in recent years by health issues, including undergoing triple-bypass surgery in 2007 and a hip replacement in 2009.

Thanks for all the memories, Rege... Is that your final Answer?