The Big Bang Theory stars reveal how they hope final episode ends

The Big Bang Theory's 12th season, finishing this year, will be the last. Photo / File

After twelve years and 279 episodes, The Big Bang Theory is coming to an end.

The final episode of the hugely popular comedy starring Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons is expected to air in May 2019, and fans are wondering how the show's creators will decide to wrap up the story.

Ultimately it's up to the writers and producers, but the cast have their ideas.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cuoco, Galecki and Parsons agreed there's a scene they'd love to see the curtains close on.

"The elevator, definitely," Parsons, who plays Sheldon, said.

"That's one of my wishes for the final episode. The elevator gets fixed, at least for a minute, and then we all get stuck in it."

Cuoco agreed, saying "It would be a great show ending for me!"

Galecki, who plays the part of Leonard, added that the script for the final episode will need to include some emotional scenes to explain why the actors are crying.

"None of us are going to be able to keep from crying during the last taping," he said.

"We've got to justify it in the writing somehow.'

The Big Bang Theory is one of the most successful TV sitcoms of all time. Lead stars Cuoco, Galecki and Parsons are understood to be making $1.2 million per episode.

The comedy centres on a group of friends in Pasadena California, mainly physicists Leonard (Galecki) and Sheldon (Parsons) and waitress and aspiring actress Penny (Cuoco).

The show is credited with bringing geek culture to the mainstream.

Following the announcement The Big Bang Theory would not be renewed for a 13th season, Cuoco said in a statement on Instagram:

"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."

By the time the last episode airs, the show will hold the record for the longest-running multi-camera series in television history.

Since its 2007 debut, the series has received 52 Emmy nominations — and won 10.