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Hugh Laurie's House to end in April

Feb 9, 2012, 16:04 GMT

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie's 'House' will end in April.

In a joint announcement by producers David Shore and Katie Jacobs and Hugh, it was revealed the medical drama - which stars the British actor as the antagonistic Dr. Gregory House - will finish after its eighth season this year.

The statement said: 'After much deliberation, the producers of 'House' M.D.' have decided that this season of the show, the 8th, should be the last.

'By April this year they will have completed 177 episodes, which is about 175 more than anyone expected back in 2004.

'The decision to end the show now, or ever, is a painful one, as it risks putting asunder hundreds of close friendships that have developed over the last eight years - but also because the show itself has been a source of great pride to everyone involved.

'This sounds like fancy talk, but it really isn't. 'House' has, in its time, intrigued audiences around the world in vast numbers, and has shown that there is a strong appetite for television drama that relies on more than prettiness or gun play.'

The statement added the decision had been made to end the show while it was still popular with viewers, even though its viewership has dropped from a high of 20 million in series three to just under nine million for this season.

It read: 'Since it began, 'House' has aspired to offer a coherent and satisfying world in which everlasting human questions of ethics and emotion, logic and truth, could be examined, played out, and occasionally answered.

'But now that time is drawing to a close. The producers have always imagined 'House' as an enigmatic creature; he should never be the last one to leave the party. How much better to disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air.

'So, finally, everyone at 'House' will bid farewell to the audience and to each other with more than a few tears, but also with a deep feeling of gratitude for the grand adventure they have been privileged to enjoy for the last eight years.

'If the show lives on somewhere, with somebody, as a fond memory, then that is a precious feat, of which we will always be proud.'

The statement enigmatically ended with House's catchphrase: 'Everybody Lies'.

Hugh, who makes $700,00 an episode, has been nominated for an Emmy award six times and won two Golden Globes for his role as Dr. House and celebrity guest stars have included Jennifer Grey, Carmen Electra, LL Cool J, Elle Fanning and Jeremy Renner.