Time called on Footballers' Wives

Footballers' Wives has been hailed for its raunchy storylines

ITV drama Footballers' Wives is coming to an end after five series, it has been confirmed.

The programme's demise was mutually agreed by makers Shed Productions and ITV, after the show suffered declining ratings during its latest run.

"We're proud that we created one of the most talked about TV shows of recent times," said Shed director Brian Park.

The show has become a hit in the US on BBC America, and a deal to air the show in South America has been reached.

"It was one of the best series of its time and caught the mood of the early 21st century," said Nick Elliott, head of ITV drama.

Glamour

The series, which began in 2001, followed the stars of Earls Park football club and their families.

The fifth and final series featured former Dynasty star Joan Collins, while ex-EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth was among the regular cast.

In the US, the show has been hailed as a modern-day answer to 1980s soaps such as Dallas. Scheming Tanya Turner - played by Zoe Lucker - was dubbed the UK's answer to JR Ewing.

Shed Productions, whose shows include Bad Girls and Waterloo Road, are in talks with ITV to develop other dramas.