'I'm officially retiring:' Justin Bieber reiterates... says he is no longer attracted to the idea of fame.

Justin Bieber previously told Los Angeles' radio station Power 106: 'After the new album, I'm actually retiring man. I'm retiring.'

And the Heartbreaker hitmaker confirmed the news on Tuesday.

Leaving his fans with a not-so-great Christmas gift, the 19-year-old pop star tweeted: 'My beloved beliebers I'm officially retiring.'

He went on to cite the media as part of his reason for leaving the limelight, but reassured his fans that this still isn't the end of him.

'The media talks a lot about me.They make a up a lot of lies and want me to fail,' Bieber continued, 'but I'm never leaving you, being a belieber is a lifestyle.'

Ending his note with some Christmas cheer, the Canadian crooner tweeted: 'Be kind loving to each other, forgive each other as god forgave us through Christ Merry Christmas IM HERE FOREVER.'

You're doing what? The 19-year-old told the shocked radio station's hosts, 'After the new album, I'm actually retiring man. I'm retiring'

Bieber initially scared fans across the world after an interview with Power 106, where he said he would retired after the release of his album Journals - which dropped earlier this week.

Radio host Kurt Alexander, better known as Big Boy, reacted by exclaiming 'What?' and an audible gasp could be heard from the radio program's cast of characters moments after Justin announced the news.

However while the star seemed somewhat sure at first, following their reaction, he backtracked slightly suggesting he has not quite made up his mind: 'I want to grow as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to mature.'

The singer, who has caused controversy in recent months for antics including partying underage in nightclubs and spray-painting public property in Australia, said the main issue is that he is no longer attracted to the idea of fame. 

The Baby star said: 'I'm here solely for my fans and for the music.'

But before Beliebers everywhere despair, a source close to Justin told TMZ the singer was just joking and has no plans to permanently hang up his microphone.

The insider said: 'The kid's got ambition.'

During the radio interview, Justin also hit back at his critics and denied he is becoming increasingly arrogant.

He said: 'People think I'm arrogant, I'm not, I've always been a caring and giving person.

'I'm 19 I'm gonna make mistakes it's inevitable.'

The teenager has been in the news a lot lately, such as for a case bought against him by photographer, Jeffery Binion, who claims that one of the hitmaker's bodyguards choked him and stole his camera equipment in June.

Initial talk of retirement came a day before Justin's documentary Believe premiered in Los Angeles.
Due out Christmas day, the film is a on and off stage look at the singer's rise to fame and stardom.
Heralded by the star as a chance to tell his story, in the trailer he implores people to 'not believe the hype'.
Breaking down in tears at one point, Justin says he feels he is a target but he wants to focus on the fans and not the fame.
He says: 'It all started with the fans, so it's got to end with the fans. It's back to being the underdog.'
Since being discovered at the age of 13, Justin has become one of the most successful solo acts of all time and has an estimated net worth of in excess $130 million and  has developed more of a bad ass personality recently, tattoos included