Current series will be the last

American comedy Ugly Betty has been axed.

The ABC network as announced that the current, fourth, series will be the last, with the final episode airing in April.

In a joint statement, executive producer Silvia Horta and ABC TV executive Steve McPherson announced: ‘We’ve mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty’s final season, and are announcing now as we want to allow the show ample time to write a satisfying conclusion.

‘We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series, and felt it was important to give the fans a proper farewell.’

Liza Minnelli is set to appear in the final series in a cameo as an ‘outrageous drama teacher’.

The show’s popularity has plunged dramatically in the States. Episode one was seen by 16.3million people in 2006; while last week’s won just 4.6million.

It has also slipped slowly in Channel 4’s ratings in Britain. Last season started with 2.36million, but by the end of the run in December was down to 1.4million. When it launched in January 2007, it attracted 4.9million.

Published: 28 Jan 2010