His trademark “I love you” greetings for commuters have made him famous all over the world — but now Johnny Barnes is considering waving goodbye.

Mr Barnes, who has not been his usual early-morning permanent presence at the entrance to the city for the past few weeks, told The Royal Gazette that he was considering “retirement” at the age of 92.

He said he had been having problems with his legs recently, and although he hoped to continue his daily ritual at the roundabout at the bottom of Trimingham Hill, he was not sure he could do so.

“When you get to 92 you have to slow down a little bit,” he said.

“When you have an old bike you can put oil on the wheels to make them go, but I can’t put oil on these knees.

“I have been at home resting and relaxing for the last couple of weeks and I’m just not sure at the moment whether I can carry on what I have been doing for so long.

“I am thinking of retirement, but have not made a final decision yet.”

Mr Barnes has greeted the Island every weekday morning for more than 50 years.

He started waving at passers-by while he was working as an electrician on the Bermuda Railway. He made it a daily tradition when he was just 23.

In 2012 a new bench was installed at his spot on Crow Lane after Mr Barnes suffered a fall while waving to motorists.

Mr Barnes’s recent absence from the Paget roundabout has prompted concerns about his health and welfare on the Island.

“I want everyone to know that I will always love them and I am thinking of them,” he said.

“I hope people continue to look up and keep saying yes. But for me sometimes you have to listen to your body.”