Honey Boo Boo axed amid controversy

Discovery-owned US lifestyle network TLC has cancelled its child reality series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo following allegations about the private life of the mother of its star.

The series, which has been a popular fixture on the network in both the US and UK for four seasons, focuses on nine-year-old Alana, a beauty pageant regular from rural Georgia.

Entertainment gossip website TMZ last week claimed that Alana’s mother, June Shannon, was in a relationship with a convicted child molester – a claim Shannon subsequently denied.

TLC, which aired three Honey Boo Boo specials in March, has now said it has “ended all activities around the series, effective immediately.”

The channel did not address the accusations around Shannon’s private life directly but added that “supporting the health and welfare of these remarkable children is our only priority. TLC is faithfully committed to the children’s ongoing comfort and well-being.”

Reuters said that TLC had recently completed production on the fifth season of the show, which was due to air at the beginning of 2015.

The Authentic Entertainment-produced series originated as a spin-off from Toddlers & Tiaras, which featured Alana and was broadcast in 2012.