Mother of eight, Kate Gosselin’s reality TV show Kate + 8 has been cancelled, broadcaster TLC said, ending a six-year headline-making run that made her one of the most loved and hated people on US television.
The show about life raising twins and sextuplets was originally called Jon & Kate + 8, but Kate Gosselin and her husband Jon went through a messy and very public divorce in 2009, and after that Kate continued alone.
“TLC has decided not to renew another season of Kate + 8,” the cable network said in a statement. “By the end of this season, Kate + 8 will have hit the 150 episode mark (including Jon & Kate + 8); an exceptional milestone. TLC hopes to check in with Kate and the family periodically with specials in the future.”
In a Twitter message, Gosselin thanked TLC and her fans for ‘six years of fun-filled adventures’ and said she was looking forward to spending more time as a motivational speaker, writing books and taking part in ‘other fun work opportunities that may come my way’.
“While it is very sad for me and the kids (there were many tears at the breakfast table this morning) we are looking forward with great anticipation to our bright future. As is very typical for me I am choosing to see the positive side of this situation,” she wrote.
Jon and Kate Gosselin were first featured in a one-hour television special called Surviving Sextuplets and Twins in 2005 before signing up for a reality show in 2007 that followed their unconventional family life in Pennsylvania.
The height of their fame came in 2009 when they announced they were divorcing in an episode that was seen by more than 10 million viewers.
Gosselin later became a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars where she was criticised by judges for being wooden, yet public support kept her on the show for four weeks.
Kate + 8 initially racked up impressive viewing figures however, over the past few seasons ratings have slid to around one million viewers.