The fact that Jim Parsons didn’t want to come back for another season of The Big Bang Theory is believed to be a big factor in the show coming to an end. Now, with the finale having aired, Parsons has explained his reasoning for leaving…

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Parsons has offered this account of his decision to leave the show, which ended last week after 12 seasons and 279 episodes:

“It was the first time in my life of doing this show that it occurred to me that I might want to not do another contract after [season] 12 was up. I don’t know if it’s because I’m an Aries or just because maybe I’m in touch with myself. Whatever it is, once I had that thought, I was like, ‘Well, that’s your answer.'”

“There was no factor; there was no situation that I was like, ‘Well, I’ve had enough of that.’ No. There was nothing like that. It was just…when you know, you know. And you’re susceptible and thrown around by the whims of your own existence and getting to a certain age and your life changes and suddenly you just think different. It has been fascinating to think about who I was 12 years ago. And sometimes when I have trouble learning a line or saying a line of Sheldon’s right now, it’s hard to know why specifically. But it’s like, you’re not the same person you were. There is a possibility that this actually became more difficult for you in a way. And I don’t know what that means but it’s like you just change.”

There you have it, then. It sounds like it wasn’t down to money or an argument or anything like that, just Parsons having a moment of realisation that he didn’t fancy signing on for another year.

We look forward to seeing what Parsons does next…