'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' to end after 14 years and 20 seasons

Kim Kardashian announced, with a 'heavy heart', that the reality series is coming to an end

The final season of the reality show 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians', starring Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian, will be broadcast next year. AFP

Many fans will have to change how they keep up with the Kardashians, because, after 14 years on our screens, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, often referred to as KUWTK, is coming to an end.

The reality show, which gave fans an intimate insight into the daily life of the Kardashian/Jenner family, catapulting its members to fame, will end in 2021, Kim Kardashian has announced.

The show first aired in October 2003; its 20th and final season will be broadcast next year.

"It is with heavy hearts that we've made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians," Kim Kardashian, who was a stand-out protagonist in the show from the beginning, said on Instagram and Twitter.

"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."

The show primarily followed the lives of Kris Jenner, 64, and her daughters, Kourtney, 41, Kim, 38 and Khloe Kardashian, 36, and occasionally son Rob, 33. It also featured the matriarch's ex-partner Caitlyn Jenner, 70, and their daughters Kendall, 24, and Kylie Jenner, 23, who have both gone on to become household names, Kendall as a model and Kylie as a beauty entrepreneur.

Kylie, the youngest of the brood, was just 10 when the show first aired.

The Kardashian/Jenner family in an early 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' poster. Courtesy E!

Since the first season was shown on E!, there have been many spin-off shows, including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim Take New York and Kourtney and Khloe Take The Hamptons, which showed the sisters take on various new business ventures around the US. There have also been relationship-focused off-shoots, including Rob & Chyna and Khloe & Lamar.

"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," Kim Kardashian's statement continued. "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."

Kim is now married to rapper Kanye West, with four children, North, 7, Saint, 4, Chicago, 2, and Psalm, 1.