Paul Henry dedicated his final stint hosting his TV3 show to his late mother, saying he had "lost my most important audience member". Video / Newshub
Paul Henry has dedicated his final stint hosting his TV3 show to his late mother, saying he had "lost my most important audience member".
Henry returned to air on Wednesday after the death of his mother Olive Hopes, who had been battling a long illness.
The broadcaster, who leaves TV3 and his Paul Henry show today, ended his final episode by telling viewers her death meant he'd made the right decision.
"This week I lost my most important audience member, which has confirmed to me it's time to end my career," he said.
Henry, as well as co-hosts Jim Kayes and Ingrid Hipkiss, and producer Sarah Bristow, teared up during the broadcaster's emotional farewell.
Paul Henry hugs a co-worker during his last stint hosting his TV3 show.
Bristow paid tribute to Henry's tireless work ethic. "On TV and radio our ratings have surpassed what anyone expected. Your energy, drive, passion is truly astounding. His alarm goes off at 2.30 in the morning, he's on the phone sometimes late into the night working out what we put into the show," she said.
Henry thanked his co-hosts, farewelled viewers and thanked fans for their support before signing off one last time. "Make every day a brilliant day in paradise. Goodbye."
Henry stood up and hugged and waved at staff who had formed a guard of honour out of the studio. Henry walked to an elevator and hugged his daughter, Bella Henry, as the doors closed with the words, 'The end'.
Paul Henry's last show at TV3 finished with these words.
Earlier, Paul Henry hinted that he may never return to TV.
The jovial broadcaster 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'".
Paul Henry leaves TV3 today after nearly two years at the network. Photo/Michael Craig
Henry 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.
This morning's show also included plenty of jokes, with Henry - a nudist - threatening at one point to get naked.
"I'd be quite happy to take all my clothes off right now. There's nothing wrong with the human body - especially mine," he quipped.
"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 received a gift from regular guest Judith Collins, who presented Henry with his own papier mache figure.
Henry's show launched in April last year and has been so successful it's believed to have sparked TVNZ's recent overhaul of Breakfast - including new hosts Jack Tame and Hilary Barry.
"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.
