HOUSEWIVES TO END ‘IN BEST WAY POSSIBLE’

Desperate Housewives will come to an end in its eighth season, with its creator saying that he wants “to go out in the classiest way possible”.

On Sunday, ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee confirmed the show’s demise after days of industry rumours.

Speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association’s Press Tour, Lee said that the decision had been made now so that producers could plan the final season.

“I wanted to make sure that this show that put this network on the map, certainly the new brand of this network for the last six or seven years, had its victory lap – and had its chance to really set out every episode and build an arc for its 22 episodes so that we could say goodbye.”

Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry added: “I’ve been in this business for 23 years, and I’m very aware of people overstaying their welcome. I just didn’t want that to happen to Desperate Housewives. I wanted to go out in the classiest way possible.”

Commenting on Twitter, Eva Longoria who found international fame by playing Gabrielle Solis on the show, said: “I am so grateful for what the show has given me! We always knew we wanted to end on top and I thank ABC for giving us our victory lap! And a special thanks to Marc Cherry who forever changed my life!”

Desperate Housewives quickly became a gay favourite when it debuted in 2004 thanks to its feisty female leads and gay characters.

The show was nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards three times and won in 2009.