BBC axes sitcom My Family after 11 years

Long-running sitcom hit My Family is to be axed by the BBC after 11 years.

The series, which stars Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker as Ben and Susan Harper, has run for more than 100 episodes.

But executives thought it was time to move on now the couple's three children have left the family home.

BBC1 controller Danny Cohen said: "Now that all the Harper children have fled the nest we feel it's time to make room for new comedies on BBC1.

He said the 11th series, to be screened later this year, will be the final outing.

The show was the launchpad for actor Kris Marshall, well known for his BT ads and his role in movie hit Love Actually.

It has also starred former EastEnders actress Daniela Denby-Ashe.

Cheryl Taylor, controller of comedy commissioning, said: "Now that almost a generation of British children have grown up with the Harper brood, played over the years by Kris Marshall, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Gabriel Thompson, we're looking to the future with new families and new comedies that we hope will prove equally popular."

The series was launched in September 2000 and it was the first BBC sitcom to introduce US production methods such as writing teams, under the stewardship of American creator Fred Barron.