MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews is retiring from his longtime role as host of “Hardball.”

Matthews shared the surprising news at the beginning of his show on Monday night.

“I want to start with my headline tonight, I’m retiring,” he said.

“This is the last “Hardball” on MSNBC and obviously this isn’t for a lack of interest in politics.”

Matthews made the decision days after it was reported that he “inappropriately flirted” with a much younger female guest on at least two occasions while she was getting made up to appear on his “Hardball” show.

NBC News’ National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki took over Monday night’s show.