Keeping Up With The Kardashians: why KUWTK is being cancelled after 14 years - and when the last season is on TV

The Kardashian family is one of the most prolific and controversial around, with hit reality TV show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, paving the way to stardom for Kim, her siblings, their parents, partners and children.

But after 14 years on the air, the programme is finally coming to an end.

Here’s what the Kardashians said about the show being cancelled - and when the last season will air.

When did Keeping Up With The Kardashians first air?

Keeping Up with the Kardashians first aired in October 2007, bringing the lives of the Kardashian family into the limelight.

The reality TV show spawned countless memorable moments and memes over the course of, what will be 20 seasons.

Key moments from the past 14 years include:

- Kanye West proposing to Kim on her 33rd birthday

- When Kim wouldn’t stop taking selfies as her sister Khloe was going to prison for violating a drink-driving probation

- The moment Kim hit her sister Khloe with her purse, saying: “Don’t be so f***ing rude!”

- Kris learning how to pole dance

- When Kris gifted Kylie a baby pig, but the youngest member of the family accidentally took it for a different farm yard animal, saying: “Oh my gosh, is that a chicken?”

Since Keeping Up With The Kardashians began in 2007, there have been 12 spin off series inspired by the show.

These are: Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kourtney and Khloe Take the Hamptons, Khloe and Lamar, Sex with Brody, I Am Cait, DASH Dolls, Life of Kylie, Rob & Chyna, Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian and Flip It Like Disick.

When is the show ending and why?

Kim Kardashian West announced that Keeping Up With The Kardashians will end after its final season in 2021, with season 20 being the last.

While the family announced the news on their various social media accounts, a specific reason for why the show is ending has not been revealed.

In a statement released by the E! Network, the network behind Keeping up with the Kardashians, it said that it respected “the family's decision to live their lives without our cameras.”

What did the Kardashians say?

Kim Kardashian took to Twitter to make the announcement, posting a love heart and a broken heart emoji.

Kardashian wrote: “To our amazing fans. It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

“After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all these years - through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears and the many relationships and children. We'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way.

“Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience and, most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest for believing in us, E! For being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray, who’ve spent countless hours documenting our lives.

“Our last season will air early next year in 2021.

“Without Keeping Up With The Kardashians, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 incredible years. This show made us who we are and I will be forever in debt to everyone who played a role in shaping our careers and changing our lives forever.”

Kardashian ended the message by writing: “With love and gratitude, Kim.”

Kris Jenner also posted a similar announcement on her Twitter account, stating that the show was coming to an end and thanking the fans, Ryan Seacrest, E! and the production team at Bunim/Murray.

Jenner’s announcement was signed off by the whole family: Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Scott Disick.

Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick posted the same message to their respective Instagram accounts.

How have people reacted?

Reaction to the announcement has been mixed, with some celebrating the end of the controversial reality show, and others devastated by the news.

One person tweeted: “Keeping Up With The Kardashians has been cancelled. Okay, 2020 hasn’t been ALL bad.”

Another wrote: “Some good news in 2020? Yes! Keeping Up With The Kardashians is coming to an end! Kim announced the show will end after season 20 early next year. This is actual proof that there is a f***ing God!”

“I’m terrified to even imagine what Kris Jenner has in store now that Keeping Up With The Kardashians is getting cancelled. She’s definitely planning something…” tweeted another.

However, a show like Keeping Up With The Kardashians doesn’t run for 20 seasons without a group of loyal fans - many of whom were heartbroken by the news.