Des O'Connor has quit TV show Countdown after less than two years, claiming he misses the excitement of his one-man concerts.

The perma-tanned presenter will step down as host of the hit Channel 4 daytime show in November, after joining it in January last year.

His relatively short stay on the series, also starring Carol Vorderman, comes after Des Lynam previously quit after only 18 months hosting it.

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Des O' Connor and co-host Carol Vorderman on the set of Countdown celebrating the Countdown's 25th anniversary last year

The show's most enduring presenter Richard Whitetely fronted the show for over 20 years before he died in 2005.

Clive Anderson, Stephen Fry, Jeremy Paxman and even Noel Edmonds are now being tipped as likely replacements by insiders.

Yesterday the 76-year-old O'Connor 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 his live shows.

O'Connor revealed he is currently in talks about a role in a major West End production, but was tight-lipped about the details.

The star said of his time on the Channel 4 show:  '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.'

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Original host Richard Whiteley (1943-2005) and Carol Vorderman. Countdown was the first programme to be shown on the channel when it launched in November 1982

The decision of O'Connor to quit raises further question marks of the show's ability to retain top presenters since Whiteley died.

Des Lynam quit in 2006 amid claims he could no longer face the gruelling 250 mile journey to Leeds from his home in Worthing, West Sussex.

It is believed that O'Connor has also found the demanding filming schedule and travel hard going, when his family are based in Buckinghamshire.

Yesterday he insisted he had a 'fantastic' time in Leeds, where the show is filmed, but would now be able to spend more time at home.

The star claimed he has 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, sometimes the subject of jibes about his musical repertoire, is also working on a new album, working titled Setting New Standards.

He is recording it with producer and songwriter Alan Hawkshaw, who has written for Barbra Streisand - as well as writing music for Countdown.

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All change: Carol Vorderman with Des Lynam who took over hosting duties on Countdown from the late Richard Whiteley in 2005

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.'

He was recently awarded the CBE for his services to entertainment and broadcasting.

Since landing his first television series in the UK in 1963 he has starred in his own mainstream television show every year.

He said he will have done more than 500 shows by the time he leaves in November and he already has some concerts lined up for this autumn.

Asked if he would ever retire he said: 'Only if I think they don't want me any more.'

Speaking about the loyalty of Countdown viewers, he said the show received a letter from a woman who had only missed one episode - because she was under anaesthetic at the time.

'I hope they will understand,' he said. 'I'm very grateful to Carol and everyone at Channel 4.'

He said he was leaving with a mixture of 'sadness and excitement'.

Vorderman said she was upset that O'Connor was leaving as he is a 'true gentleman'.

She said: 'Des and myself have spoken with regard to him leaving and he knows how I am about it.

'But I know that everyone on Countdown will want to wish him well and Des and I hope we can work again together in the future.'

O'Connor helped the series celebrate its 25th birthday in November last year.

Channel 4 said it would be announcing a replacement for O'Connor in due course.