Desperate Housewives to end in 2012

US network ABC has confirmed the next series of Desperate Housewives will be the last.

Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry told a gathering of LA TV critics he wanted it to go out 'in the classiest way possible.

"The only thing harder than creating a hit show is knowing when to end, especially when you have one of most amazing casts in the history of television," he said.

"I am very aware of people overstaying their welcome.

"I wanted to go out while the network still saw us as a viable show, while we were still a force to be contended with."

He said he and the network had 'made this decision together' and the eighth series, which will run in the US from 25 September to May 2012, will be 'a victory lap'.

Desperate Housewives has won Golden Globe and Emmy Awards since it first began telling the tales of the lives and loves of neighbours in Wisteria Lane in the fictional suburban town of Fairview, making stars of its core cast of Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross and Nicollette Sheridan.