Another Anchor is using the November sweeps to announce his retirement.

But, this Anchor is not leaving at the end of the book, or even the end of the year.

WPVI (Philly) longtime Anchor Jim Gardner has started the slow walk to retirement and plans to step down in 2022.

Gardner announced he is dialing back his schedule with Action News and plans to retire at the end of 2022 after more than four decades in broadcasting.

Gardner informed his colleagues of his decision to reduce his schedule by continuing to anchor the 6 p.m. newscast, with Ducis Rodgers and Meteorologist Cecily Tynan, but no longer anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast. His last late newscast is scheduled for early January. WPVI will announce his replacement in the coming months.

"It's hard to imagine that I have had the opportunity to spend a professional lifetime with colleagues so committed, resourceful and wonderful. They have taught me so much about television journalism and about myself. I am profoundly grateful," said Gardner.

"I have spent most of my adult life at Action News, and many of our viewers have grown up and experienced life along with me and the on-air team I've worked side-by-side with. I've been blessed to raise a family here and to be a member of this community over the past 45 years. I feel I have a special relationship with our viewers and the communities we serve, and I plan to continue to enjoy every minute with them over the next year."

He began his television broadcast career at WKBW in Buffalo before joining WPVI, where he has remained for more than four decades.

Gardner also posted the news to his social media and had a message for the trolls: