Fox 2 Detroit anchors Huel Perkins, Monica Gayle to retire at end of March

March will mark the end of an era at Fox 2 Detroit, where anchors Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle announced their mutual retirement Wednesday night on-air.

Perkins, 67, and Gayle, 61, have been co-hosting at the station for 25 years together.

They may have announced their goodbyes Wednesday, but they'll be on air for another month. Their last show will be March 25, according to Fox 2.

"I've had a wonderful career, and I thank all of you for your support," Perkins said. "I am grateful for my family, my wife Priscilla, and our sons, Jared and Vincent. And I'm also grateful to my Fox 2 family, the people you see on TV and also the people behind the scenes — who make it all possible."

Back in October, Perkins said he would "absolutely, no question" retire in 2022, citing the death of friend Steve Hood, and the 2017 death of colleague Ron Savage. But he said no end date had been set at the time. Gayle said she was also "pondering her future."

Perkins has been a news broadcaster for more than 40 years, and he's spent 32 of them at Fox 2.

He said he's truly loved it every day, and he's developed "a deep and abiding faith in the people of metro Detroit."

Gayle shared Perkins' sentiment and said she is so grateful for her time at Fox 2.

"I have been so honored and blessed to share this desk with you. I could not ask for a better co-anchor, and it just feels very right that we go out together as a team," Gayle said.

Gayle was an international reporter, covering stories in England, Bosnia, Honduras and Russia before planting her roots at Fox 2 in 1997.

Both have won multiple Emmy awards for their work.

"I've gotta live while I can, and still be healthy enough to enjoy it," Perkins said.

Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fox 2 anchors Huel Perkins, Monica Gayle to retire