Fans were left heartbroken after Sir Michael Caine announced that he has finally retired from acting.

The 90-year-old veteran actor confirmed the news on Friday, only days after the release of his latest movie The Great Escaper.

With a stellar career spanning seven decades, the Oscar, Golden Globe and Bafta-winning actor has appeared in more than 180 movies.

The legendary star explained that he made the decision after he concluded that ‘you don’t have leading men at 90.’

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he said: “I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well I am now.

“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and had incredible reviews… What am I going to do that will beat this?”

Sir Michael has starred in over 180 films, including classic movies ranging from The Italian Job and Zulu to recent films like The Dark Knight franchise and Interstellar.

His most recent film, The Great Escaper, is about a real-life WWII veteran Bernie Jordan (played by Sir Michael) who escaped from a care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.

The actor said of his decision to finally retire: “The only parts I’m liable to get now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85.

“They’re not going to be the lead. You don’t have leading men at 90, you’re going to have young handsome boys and girls. So I thought, I might as well leave with all this.”

He also revealed that he had turned down the role three times before accepting it as he already considered himself retired.

Sir Michael’s heartbreaking announcement came a month before his novel Deadly Game is set to be released.

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