Kim Kardashian announces Keeping Up with the Kardashians will finish

After months of speculation about her private life, Kim Kardashian has today announced a “difficult decision to say goodbye.”

Kim Kardashian has today publicly announced she and her family have made the “difficult decision” to say goodbye to the reality show that made them household names, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

“It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the reality star and beauty mogul announced on Instagram today, following months of intense scrutiny about her turbulent marriage to rapper-turned-Presidential hopeful Kanye West.

“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 of 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.”

Kardashian thanks the “thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience,” and reveals that the final season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians will air early next year. The latest season, filmed during the coronavirus pandemic, will hit Binge on September 18.

RELATED: Racy Kim and Kylie video leaks online

Kim Kardashian and family are leaving the reality show that turned them into some of the world’s biggest celebrities. Picture: AFP

RELATED: Kim K in tears during Kanye reunion

The star – who was best known as Paris Hilton’s assistant when she made her foray into reality TV with occasional cameos on The Simple Life – acknowledged just how much KUWTK had changed her family’s lives.

You can watch season 18 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians on Binge, Australia’s new streaming service offering the best drama, entertainment and movies from the world’s best creators. New to Binge? Get a two week free trial. Sign up at binge.com.au

“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,” she wrote.

The Kardashians in an earlier season of their show, L-R,: Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian. Picture: Supplied

RELATED: Kim K hits the beach in tiny pink bikini

The family’s surprise decision to ditch the reality show that made them stars comes as Kim faces increasing scrutiny over her tumultuous relationship with husband Kanye West.

The rapper is continuing his bizarre bid to run for President during the November US elections, and has recently slammed his wife and her family on social media, accusing Kim and mother Kylie Jenner of trying to “lock him up”. Kanye also tweeted that he had been “trying to get divorced” since Kim met up with rapper Meek Mill to discuss prison reform and referred to Kris Jenner as “Kris Jong-Un”.

After the series of shocking tweets, Kim released a statement in July in which she defended her husband and made mention of his bipolar disorder.

Kim and Kanye in Keeping up with the Kardashians – the rapper made frequent cameos in the series.

RELATED: Why Kanye’s recent behaviour is a “nightmare” for Kim

“Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand,” she wrote.

“I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health.

“Those that understand mental illness or compulsive behaviour know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor,” she went on.

“People who are unaware or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard the family try.”

Minutes after Kim posted her announcement on Instagram about her reality show’s future today, her husband made a shocking social media post of his own: Kanye tweeted this stomach-churning video of himself moaning in pain as he receives a brutal injection for an apparent wrist injury:

Lidocaine worked instantly!!! The dexamethasone takes 24 to 48 hours Modern medicine â›· pic.twitter.com/0rkP4x2KVj

— ye (@kanyewest) September 8, 2020

Keeping Up With the Kardashians has turned into one of the longest-running reality shows in TV history since launching in 2007, with the family filming more than 250 episodes across 18 seasons so far. As well as launching Kim as one of the world’s most successful beauty icons, it kickstarted the modelling careers of sisters Kylie and Kendall Jenner and documented the transition of Kris Jenner’s ex spouse, Caitlyn Jenner. Along the way, the family accumulated a collective net worth of several billion dollars.

RELATED: ‘Paranoid’ Kanye doesn’t trust Kim

KUWTK laid the family’s private lives bare.

… every public scandal became TV fodder.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians Season 19 premieres Friday 18th September - same day as the U.S. Watch on E! at 10am and 8:30pm on Foxtel or Fetch.