June Shannon

June Shannon

'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' has been axed "effective immediately."

The reality TV series - which focuses on the life of beauty pageant contestant Alana Thompson, nine, and her family in McIntyre, Georgia - has been cancelled by TLC amid rumours family matriarch June Shannon is dating a convicted sex offender.

The US network said in a statement: "TLC has cancelled the series 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' and ended all activities around the series, effective immediately.

"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."

June, 35, insists her four daughters are her top priority despite reports she is romancing Mark McDaniel, who was convicted of aggravated child molestation on one of her young relatives in 2004 and released from jail in March.

The star, who recently split from her husband Mike 'Sugar Bear' Thompson, wrote on her Facebook page on Thursday (23.10.14): "It isn't true i promise. My kids r #1 priority over anything else (sic)."

She also denied the allegations in a video clip today (24.10.14), saying: "As of right now there will be no more production of the show. The statement of me dating a sex offender is not true. I would not ever put my kids in danger."

She added: "Things happen for a reason in life. We love y'all (sic)."

The series premiered in 2012 and ratings for its most recent season remained strong, but the network decided to cancel the show just one day after gossip website TMZ.com obtained a photograph of June and Mark at a small party in a hotel room and obtained "compelling evidence" they are in a relationship.