Barker: The time is right to retire

Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final “Come on down.” The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he said Tuesday.

“I will be 83 years old on Dec. 12,” he said, “and I’ve decided to retire while I’m still young.”

Though he has been considering retirement for “at least 10 years,” Barker said he has so much fun doing “The Price Is Right” that he hasn’t been able to leave. But reaching dual milestones -- 50 years on television and 35 with “Price” -- made this an “appropriate” time to retire, he said.

“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. “I might be able to do the show another year, but better [to leave] a year too soon than a year too late.”

Barker began his national television career in 1956 as the host of “Truth or Consequences.” He first appeared on “Price” on Sept. 4, 1972, and has been the face of the show ever since.