Network axes gay show

Ellen DeGeneres as the star (left) and Laura Dern playing Susan during taping of the famous episode

The cancellation of the ground-breaking show Ellen from the ABC line-up will rob prime-time television of its first homosexual lead character.

After months of speculation the network has announced that it is canning the show, almost one year after it screened the controversial episode when Ellen revealed her lesbianism.

Ellen DeGeneres created a storm when she declared her own homosexuality shortly before her TV character, Ellen Morgan, came out.

ABC has called it quits after five seasons

More than 36 million people tuned into the highly publicised "coming-out" show that earned its writers an Emmy award, but ratings have since plummeted with the series averaging fewer than 11 million viewers.

The crucial episode was aired on British television on Saturday evening.

While in Britain to promote the screening last week, DeGeneres admitted the show was heading for the chop.

She said she was "99% certain" ABC had axed her series because of the lesbian storyline.

'Caving in'

It is understood that after the comedian and her character came out as lesbians, DeGeneres and the network fought over storylines.

She accused the network of "caving in" and blamed lower ratings on a lack of support and the parental advisory warnings that preceded the programme.

DeGeneres has not commented since the cancellation was confirmed but gay rights organisations have been quick to protest the move.

The executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Joan Garry said she was disappointed. But she added that the show would always be hugely significant.

"The important thing to note is that 1997 will be remembered as an historic year for the gay community," she said.

Downward trend

The sitcom made its debut in 1994 as These Friends of Mine with Degeneres playing a single heterosexual with a close-knit group of friends.

But without a focussed storyline the show's ratings suffered. It was relaunched under the name Ellen and gradually built up a cult audience.

It was thought the "coming out" episode would give Ellen a new direction. But while the network was initially rewarded for its risk, ratings soon resumed their downward trend. A one-hour finale will be broadcast by ABC on May 13.