Glee is still one of Fox's highest rated shows and continues to have a dedicated following, however the all-singing all-dancing high school-set series will take it's final bow at the end of next season, series co-creator Ryan Murphy has revealed. Murphy revealed the news unexpectedly during an event honoring FX Networks on Wednesday, 16 October, night at the Paley Center for Media in New York City.

Glee Golden Globes
They'll be no more nights like this for the Glee ensemble

As initially reported by TV Line, Murphy said that the death of series regular Cory Monteith from a drugs overdose earlier this year had forced him to consider the future of the show and how he should go about bringing it to a close.

“The final year of the show, which will be next year, was designed around Rachel and Cory/Finn’s story,” he is quoted as saying. “I always knew that, I always knew how it would end. I knew what the last shot was - he was in it. I knew what the last line was - she said it to him. So when a tragedy like that happens, you sort of have to pause and figure out what you want to do, so we’re figuring that out now."

Since Murphy's reported comments were made, Fox have refused to comment on whether the show will come to an end next year or not. Despite the silence form the network, Murphy's comments do confirm what Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly said at the Television Critics Association media tour this summer, when he also alluded to the show ending next year.

Glee cast
Some of the early Glee cast, including Monteith (far left)

Glee has been struggling in the ratings since the current, fifth season of the show began airing last month. The season premiere drew in audience numbers 30% less than what the show achieved in season four, and that number is even lower when compared to the show's heyday in the first three seasons. That said, the last episode to air - a tribute episode in memory of Monteith - drew in the largest numbers of the season so far, up 75% from the previous week.

Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith's death has caused problems for the ending of the show