Ally McBeal star 'to quit show'

Ally McBeal star Lucy Liu is to quit the show at the end of next season, it was claimed today.

The actress, who starred in Charlie’s Angels alongside Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz, has signed a deal to appear in just four episodes next season, leading show insiders to believe it will be her last.

The comedy show’s executive producer David Kelley was said to be as delighted as Liu to strike the deal, which the New York Daily news claimed meant would make the autumn shows her last.

Liu has appeared in the hit comedy since 1998 as Ling Woo, appearing alongside Calista Flockhart, who plays Ally McBeal, as a lawyer in the Boston law firm where the show is set.

A source close to the show told the newspaper: ‘‘David can’t wait to get rid of her.’’

The actress reportedly clashed repeatedly with actor Bill Murray during filming of Charlie’s Angels and has earned a reputation in Hollywood for being ‘‘difficult’’.

But Liu, 33, denied there was any discord between her and Ally McBeal bosses.

The actress said: ‘‘I am especially grateful to David for giving me this incredible opportunity and for making it possible for me to do the other projects I’ve been able to do over the last two years.’’

Her spokesman added that the actress was not ruling herself out of future seasons of Ally McBeal, and said she could ‘‘return in an additional script or two, depending on the storyline’’.

Ally McBeal has been hit by a series of troubles, including concerns over the health of ultra-thin star Calista Flockhart, and the sacking of co-star Robert Downey jnr after he was arrested on drugs charges.