Sports broadcaster and Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney has today announced his retirement, effective Saturday 3:30pm, citing the “loss of someone speshhalll”.

“I knew she was nearing the end of her time, but it hurts more than I could’ve imagined… so I can’t go on” an emotional McAvaney told 800.85 Sport FM’s Bazza and Mungo.

The comments came as the doyen of sports presenting faces up to the fact this weekend's Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be champion racehorse Winx’s final race, after four Cox Plates and a thirty two race win streak.

McAvaney is hanging up the microphone after a stellar 45 years, 28 Melbourne Cups, 30 AFL Grand Finals, 2,456 Speshhalll’s, and 1,023 beastiality-erotic remarks.

When asked if he’d consider the prospect of continuing with his AFL commentary, rather than complete retirement, the 66 year old shook his head, saying “not unless Cyril (Rioli) comes out of retirement”.

“Right now, I can't think about the oval ball. Even my favourite foods don’t taste good anymore… this corn beef used to be so dee-licious.”

Bruce still has two years to run in his Channel 7 contract. The station are yet to comment.

Thanks for everything Bruce.