Star 'was ready to say goodbye': Real reason The Big Bang Theory is ending

The Big Bang Theory will come to an end after 12 seasons. Photo / Getty Images

As fans of The Big Bang Theory come to terms with the news the US comedy is finally coming to an end, questions are being raised as to why producers would suddenly call time on the top-rating series.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the network, CBS, was trying to negotiate two more seasons, however actor Jim Parsons (who stars as Sheldon Cooper) decided to walk away from the show.

EW reports that the two-year deal would have netted each cast member $69 million if they agreed to stay on, however Parsons "was ready to say goodbye."

The Big Bang Theory made the actor — along with his four original co-stars Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg — a household name. With a reported salary near $1.4 million per episode, the 45-year-old also won four Emmys and one Golden Globe for his lead role in the series.

View this post on Instagram

❤️Swipe for my caption to this picture which was too long to just write here (not surprising given the circumstances) ❤️

A post shared by Jim Parsons (@therealjimparsons) on Aug 23, 2018 at 9:31am PDT

Executive producer Chuck Lorre confirmed that, after 12 seasons and a record-breaking 279 episodes, The Big Bang Theory will air its final-ever episode in May 2019.

When it wraps, it will be the longest-running multi-camera series in television history.

After the news broke, Cuoco took to Instagram to thank the show's dedicated fans, admitting she was "drowning in tears".

Sharing a photo of herself with Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Melissa Rauch, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Simon Helberg, she wrote: "This ride has been a dream come true and as life changing as it gets.

"No matter when it was going to end, my heart would have always been broken in two."

Parsons has not responded to the reports that he may be behind the show's ultimate demise, however he penned an emotional message about its end, sharing the below lengthy tribute with his 6.4 million Instagram followers.

In a joint statement confirming it is the end of the road for The Big Bang Theory, WBTV, CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions said: "We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The Big Bang Theory during the past 12 seasons.

"We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show's success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring The Big Bang Theory to an epic creative close."