24 Is Cancelled

The series, starring Sutherland as action man Jack Bauer, became an instant hit with TV audiences around the world when it premiered in 2001, but its current eighth season will be its last.

Show producers admitted last August (09) they were unsure about the future of 24 and were preparing a number of alternative endings for series eight in case network bosses at Fox cancelled the programme.

Fans' worst fears were proven on Friday (26Mar10) when Sutherland's co-star Mary Lynn Rajskub broke the news on her Twitter.com page.

She wrote, "Just found out we got the word officially. This is 24's last season."

Fox bosses confirmed the news shortly afterwards, revealing it was a joint decision between them and Sutherland, who served as executive producer.

In a statement to Access Hollywood, Sutherland says, "This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible.

"While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon. This feels like the culmination of all our efforts from the writers to the actors to our fantastic crew and everyone at FOX."

Fans will have one last chance to catch Jack Bauer in action after the last series wraps - a big screen version of 24 is currently in development.