Anne Robinson has said that she quit Countdown after Channel 4 insisted that she join its company payroll.
The 77-year-old was employed on the show on a freelance basis and had even been offered a pay rise.
However, the channel reportedly told the host that she must join its staff.
She told The Sun : "I come from a long line of alcoholic, Irish bandits so to suggest I go PAYE is a bit like asking Philip Green or Richard Branson to join the company payroll."
Anne added that was "wasn't interested in any offer on that basis", even if it included a pay rise.
The veteran host joked that she would miss the C4 luncheon vouchers, which she cited as a "big regret".
It comes after Anne announced earlier this week that she was stepping down as the host of Countdown after spending just one year "in the hot seat".
Ove the past 12 months there's been several reports of Robinson clashing with her co-star Rachel Riley, but this has been widely denied.
Robinson, who recorded 265 episodes of the show, said of her decision to quit: "I've had a blast hosting this wonderful show. And I stayed longer than I signed up for. Now it is time for an older woman to take the reins.
"I hope too I've encouraged TV bosses to realise that not all women at the wrong end of their seventies are in care homes playing bingo and watching conjuring tricks," she continued.
"In fact the genius of Countdown is that it's a brilliant way to keep the brain exercised. I run 5k most days of the week.
"And I can now do an anagram at twice the speed I could this time last year.
"But I have grandchildren, a large garden and a home in New York, all deserving more of my attention," Robinson added.
She will appear in shows until the summer with a new host announced in due course, Channel 4 confirmed.
A show spokesperson said: "Quick-witted Anne has been a brilliant host on this iconic show."
Robinson followed in the footsteps of Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O'Connor, Jeff Stelling and Nick Hewer as the presenter of Countdown, which launched in 1982.
