LOS ANGELES, Jan 22 — HBO’s long-running fantasy series Game of Thrones is coming to an end after its eighth season, and many fans are already finding it hard to say goodbye.

But perhaps not one of its stars.

Peter Dinklage who plays Tyrion Lannister on the show has said "it’s time” for the show to end, before it "jumps the shark”.

The phrase "jumps the shark” is usually used to describe the moment when a TV series or a film reaches a point when far-fetched events are included novelty’s sake.

It derives from a scene in a fifth-season episode of the sitcom Happy Days in which the character Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water-skis, in a failed bid to boost ratings.

Speaking to Variety, Dinklage called the final season "bittersweet” and "heartbreaking” but added that "it’s time. Story-wise, not just for all of our lives. I think if they went further… it’s the perfect timing to end it. Sometimes shows stay on a little too long. The jumping the shark thing.”

The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones will air in 2019.