'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' to 'Holby City': TV shows that ended in 2021

Whether they come to a natural end or are brutally cancelled, it's always tough saying goodbye to a favourite TV series.

Some big names from the worlds of comedy, reality and drama announced they were bowing out this year, leaving fans mourning a hole in their TV schedules.

Read more: All the best TV and films streaming this Christmas

We look back at some of the biggest shows that will be leaving our screens.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The sitcom about a Brooklyn police department's haphazard crime solving has delighted audiences for eight seasons, but all good things must come to an end.

It's been consistently funny and full of heart during its time on our screens, thanks to a brilliant cast including Andy Samberg, Terry Crews, Chelsea Peretti and Melissa Fumero.

Read more: The most controversial TV moments of 2021

When the news was announced, Fumero tweeted: "It has been one of the greatest joys and honour of my life to play Amy. I am so grateful to be able to take a victory lap with our beloved cast and crew. To our amazing fans, we love you. No tears for now, we still have a whole season to shoot!"

Bulletproof

One of the more controversial cancellations this year was Sky's Bulletproof, which starred Noel Clarke.

In April, it emerged that more than 20 women who knew him professionally had made sexual harassment and bullying allegations about the actor, leading to Bafta revoking his membership and a recent outstanding contribution award.

Unsurprisingly, the series cancellation followed shortly after.

Dear White People

The Netflix series about issues of race and racism on a US university campus reached its fourth and final season in 2021.

However, although the show had picked up many fans over its first three seasons, many were a little confused by the final instalment which went in a totally different direction by refashioning itself as a 90s musical.

Holby City

The medical drama is one of those BBC stalwarts that we could never have imagined not popping up as a regular in the schedules.

So it came as a big shock when the news broke that after 23 years, Holby City was no more.

A BBC statement explained: “We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC’s commitment to make more programmes across the UK, we have taken the difficult decision to bring the show to a close in order to reshape the BBC’s drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country."

There's still time to enjoy a little more of the series, as it won't air its final episode until March 2022.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Does reality TV even really still exist without the Kardashians?

Kim and co are finally going to keep some of their personal lives personal after bowing out with a 20th season of the show that documented every part of their family's lives.

In the last episode, they took a family trip to Tahoe and had an emotional look back over their fame - but somehow, we wouldn't be surprised if the show was revived in one form or another in the future.

Killing Eve

It's been one of the BBC's biggest successes in recent years, but Killing Eve is quitting while it's ahead after announcing earlier this year that the fourth season would be the last.

The stylish drama stars Sandra Oh as a spy plagued by assassin Villanelle who expertly assumes any number of different personas and accents.

Jodie Comer, who plays Villanelle, said: "Killing Eve has been the most extraordinary journey and one that I will be forever grateful for."

Peaky Blinders

Another BBC drama great headed for the chop is historical gang epic Peaky Blinders, which we're eagerly awaiting the sixth and final season of.

The finale will be tinged with huge sadness for both the stars of the show and its fans, as Helen McCrory, who played Aunt Polly, died during its filming.

It isn't the last we'll see of Tommy Shelby, though, as a film spin-off has already been confirmed.

The Circle

Channel 4's reality contest The Circle looked set to be its answer to the gap left by Big Brother when it began.

But after three series of contestants communicating entirely by social media as they tried to work out who was genuine and who was a catfish, the series fronted by Emma Willis has come to an end.

The Circle also had a celebrity version, but Richard Madeley opted to take part in the main show where he played a young woman called Judy.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

US chat show host Ellen DeGeneres announced this year that she would be ending her long-running programme known for drawing in big celebrity names after its 19th season in 2022.

She explained: “When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore," but DeGeneres was also facing controversy from bullying accusations made in 2020 by some who had worked with her on the show, and which she has apologised for.

However, she's still signing up famous guests as one of her recent shows featured Meghan Markle in an awkward prank that saw her drink from a baby bottle.

The X Factor

TV's most successful singing contest had looked to be on the way out for years as ratings plummeted and boss Simon Cowell replaced the 2019 series with a celebrity special and a bands competition.

Over the summer, ITV finally announced that there were "no current plans" for another series, bringing to an end its 17-year reign.

This December, Cowell is due to launch a new singing contest at ITV, Walk The Line, which sees acts bet on their own success as they try to win a cash prize.

Watch: Noel Clarke accused of sexual harassment on set