Hugh Laurie hints his tenure as House is to end

Hugh Laurie could be set to end his award-winning role as maverick medic Dr Gregory House.

Hugh, 51, has sealed his Hollywood career starring in the hit US show House, earning a reputed £256,000 an episode.

But the British actor told the Radio Times that the eighth season, which he films this summer, could be his last.

He told the magazine that 'the end of that season, right now, looks like the end of the show"'.

Asked if leaving was his decision, he said of his contract: "Well, that's as far as they've got me for."

Hugh, who is based in Los Angeles, where his wife joins him for two weeks each month, won the role of Dr Gregory House in 2004 in the medical drama.

His performance as the US medical genius has won him two Golden Globe Awards, five Emmy nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Hugh recently branched out into music by recording his first album, Let Them Talk, a collection of covers of blues standards, in which he tackles lead vocals, piano and guitar.