Paul Henry's shocking announcement on last day

Paul Henry has hinted that he may not return to TV during his final stint hosting his TV3 show.

A jovial Henry kicked off this morning's Paul Henry show - his last after a successful two-year stint at the network - by telling viewers he was "semi-retiring, with emphasis on the 'semi'".

Henry, who returned to air on Wednesday after the death of his mother Olive Hopes on Monday, told viewers the news in response to queries about what he'd be doing in the future.

Henry quickly explained: he'd be doing nothing.

"You won't be able to see my career," he responded to one viewer's message that she was looking forward to watching what he does next. "I haven't seen it as a career, it's been a selection of jobs."

He then confirmed what everyone suspected: "I'm calling it quits. I'm semi-retiring with emphasis on the 'semi'."

Henry is believed to have purchased property in Palm Springs as he eyes a move to America. But TV3 has said he will make guest appearances on a new 7pm show planned for 2017.

Tributes flowed for the presenter, who announced in November he was leaving Paul Henry after a successful two-year stint hosting the show. 

Henry told viewers their feedback was "lovely".

"People are writing in to say they don't know what they're going to do in the future. I'm so pleased about that. We cover serious stuff but at the end of the day we've actually living.

"If you can find room to put a smile in the day it's probably be better than actually not."

Henry's co-hosts Jim Kayes, Ingrid Hipkiss and Verity Johnson haven't yet confirmed what they'll be doing in the future.

This morning, sports presenter Kayes said he was looking forward to hitting the beach and "not getting up at stupid o'clock".

Newsreader Hipkiss joked the offers had been rolling in and she'd need to set aside time to colour code them all.

His departure comes after a controversial interview with Canvas magazine in which he commented on a woman's "perfect titties" during an interview.

"I'm really proud of what we've done," Henry said when he announced he was leaving the show. "But it's time for me to enjoy a life without the nightmare of 2.30am alarms.

"I don't need to explain myself; you've seen how successful this broadcasting experiment has been."

Henry said he wanted to start living again.

"Too many people spend their lives waiting to live. I don't want to fall into that trap," he said.

TV3 said Henry would make guest appearances on The Project, a new show that replaces departing 7pm show Story.

Duncan Garner will host TV3's new morning show, The AM Show, from next year.

- NZ Herald