JOHN McCririck has said he is convinced he has just months to live because of the stress of losing his TV career.

The 78-year-old ex-racing pundit, who has suffered chest problems and a three-stone weight loss due to a severe bout of flu, has told how he was a “lost soul wandering around an environment you're no longer part of”.

McCririck was the face of British horse-racing and became renowned for his unusual style, until he was dropped from Channel 4 in 2012 after 28 years.

After accusing them of ageism, John took the channel to an employment tribunal, which ruled against him.

Now, speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “Life is empty. I don't expect to be alive this time next year. It's a question of slipping away.

"I've prepared the Booby [his wife, Jenny] for it. When I'm gone she knows exactly what to do and she'll be fine."

The iconic pundit admitted he feels lost without his TV job at the races.

He added: "I'm pining. The broken heart is for a lost job. Work comes first.

“Racing was my life but now when I go I think: 'What am I doing here?' I feel like a dinosaur."

Earlier this month, McCririck gave insight into his recent health battle today after shocking fans with his "gaunt and frail" appearance on Big Brother's Bit on the Side.

He then appeared on This Morning, where he revealed his flu battle left him unable to speak for three months.

Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, the racing pundit said: "I couldn't speak for about three months. It was really awful, and you only get weaker with the antibiotics and all that.

"But there wasn't anything wrong with me they could directly cure. It just absolutely flattened me."

The TV personality went on to admit that unemployment had also contributed to his poor health as he became determined to lose weight as a daily distraction from not working.

He explained: "When I was sacked by Channel 4 racing in 2012... you feel depressed.

"You lose a purpose in life. I wake up now in the morning and what have I got to do?

"I've got Jeremy Kyle to watch and This Morning and Deal Or No Deal but I have no purpose.

"I worked every day for over 50 years. I've never been late for a job, I've never missed a day's work ever. And work comes first as you can't support your family if you're not working."

While he assured fans he's getting better, he admitted he doesn't think he will ever fully recover due to his age.

However, he went on to praise his wife Jenny as the "carer of the century", stating: "I'm not the easiest patient! But it's fantastic what she does for me."

Recently his poor health meant he had to pull out of I’m A Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing, as well as next year' London Marathon.

John opened up about his health kick in an interview with The Sun back in June, and said he decided to take action after ballooning to 19 stone.