The Dean of Canterbury has announced he will be retiring after 21 years in his role.

The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis is set to step down at midnight on May 16 - the eve of his 75th birthday - as he reaches the maximum age permitted by Church law.

Dean Robert began in the role in July 2001, and has since served alongside three different Archbishops.

During the coronavirus pandemic he has become a familiar face to online audiences across the world, via his daily morning prayer videos streamed live from The Deanery at Canterbury Cathedral.

The daily videos made headlines on several occasions due to mischief caused by cats Leo and Tiger - who tucked into a plate of pancakes last Shrove Tuesday, lapped up a jug of milk from the Dean's tray of tea things, and even hid beneath his robes.

The standard retirement age for clergy is 70, but Dean Robert was previously granted permission by the Archbishop of Canterbury to continue in office until the maximum age allowed by the Church, 75.

Speaking of his time at Canterbury, Dean Robert said: "These 21 years have been exceptionally happy and fulfilling, and I shall miss Canterbury greatly."

He expressed his regret that he will not be able to attend the upcoming Lambeth Conference - an assembly of bishops held once a decade - or to witness the Cathedral fully return to normal following the pandemic.

"The Archbishop of Canterbury and I had hoped that there could be some kind of extension for me to cover the Lambeth Conference, which takes place in late July and August this year, but, unfortunately, this option has been ruled legally impossible," he explained.

"In looking forward to the next few months, I’m hoping until Easter that the normal course of Cathedral life can resume here and that all farewells can be left until after that time.

"Until Easter, we will still keep our commitment day by day to the garden congregation across the world, which has been a feature of ministry during the pandemic.

"I am sorry that we will not be here to see the full opening up of cathedral life as the months of Covid restrictions come to an end.

"There will be time to express heartfelt affection and gratitude to all who have been part of our life here and across the world during these happy years, but that will be for later as we prepare to say goodbye."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby, who was installed by Dean Robert at Canterbury Cathedral in 2013, said: "Dean Robert has been one of the most exceptional deans of the post-war period – overseeing Canterbury Cathedral’s life of worship, prayer and witness with creativity and imagination.

"He is deeply loved not just at the cathedral but across the Diocese of Canterbury, the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and far beyond.

"Over the course of the pandemic, he has brought the comfort and hope of Jesus Christ to many thousands of people around the world through his daily morning prayer videos.

"Dean Robert has been a faithful, prayerful friend to our whole family and we will miss him greatly. In turn, we will be praying for him and all those who have supported him over many years, as he prepares for retirement and the next stage of his ministry."

Dean Robert has not yet revealed what his plans are once he steps down, and it is not yet known who will take over his position.