MEAT LOAF is apparently going to retire from touring . . . AGAIN.

Meat has announced a series of "farewell" shows, which will happen in the U.K. in April.  The shows will open with a few of his greatest hits . . . and then he'll perform his 1977 "Bat Out of Hell" album in its entirety.

His people say they were told this would be his LAST tour . . . and that this was his chance to, quote, "bid a final goodbye to his fans."

(The itinerary includes eight shows. You can see the dates on Meat Loaf's Facebook page.  It's unclear if he plans on expanding the tour, or if this is it.)

For what it's worth, Meat Loaf is 65, and has had some health issues over the past few years.

This isn't the first time Meat Loaf talked about retiring from touring.  During a performance in October of 2007, he told the crowd to enjoy the show, since it would be the last of his career.

At that show, he stopped in the middle of a song, and said, quote, "Ladies and gentlemen, I love you, thank you for coming, but I can no longer continue."  He took off his jacket . . . thanked the audience . . . said "goodbye forever," and left the stage.

A month later, he said he'd be back . . . and he's toured on and off ever since.

(Just to be clear:  Meat Loaf doesn't say anything about retiring from RECORDING new music.  And just last month, he talked about having a new album on the way called "Brave and Crazy".)