Jack To Bauer Out As TV Cancels Hit Show 24.

The days of Jack Bauer saving America from terrorists will soon be over - the hit series 24 has been cancelled with the final "hour" airing in May.

Fox Broadcasting said the decision to axe the show was made in agreement with star Kiefer Sutherland, along with other executives involved in its production.

"It was determined that the acclaimed series will end its remarkable eight-season run," Fox said in a statement.

News of the cancellation first broke on the social networking website Twitter.

"News from the 24 set, the crew has been told that 24 has come to an end," tweeted Jon Cassar, the producer of the series up until the end of season seven.

"Its been a great run, than(ks) all (for) watching."

Actress Mary Lynn Rajskub, who plays Chloe O'Brien on the show, also tweeted with the news.

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

The hugely popular show first aired in the US in late 2001 and will conclude with its 194th final episode in a two-hour finale on May 24.

Bauer's uncompromising approach and willingness to use torture helped fuel the debate over tactics in the War on Terror in the age of Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and extraordinary rendition.

"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," Sutherland said.

"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."

Die-hard fans may still have a surprise coming – Sutherland hinted at a film version being made.

"Looking ahead to the future, (we) are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24," he said.

Buzz in Hollywood has Bauer heading to Europe in the movie version.

"But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful."

The series, in which episodes unfold in real time, has been acclaimed during its run as redefining the TV action genre and has been nominated for a total of 68 Emmy Awards.

The first six seasons were set in Los Angeles and following a one-year break forced by the writers' strike, season seven went to Africa and Washington, DC.