Reality show canceled amid mother's dating scandal

Hit reality TV show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo has been axed after the family matriarch was romantically linked to a convicted child molester.

The future of the program, about titular child beauty pageant contestant Honey Boo Boo, was thrown into doubt on Thursday (23Oct14) after Mama June Shannon reportedly reconnected with former lover Mark McDaniel, who was imprisoned for child sex crimes in 2004.

Shannon dismissed the claims in a post on Facebook.com, insisting, "It isnt true i promise. My kids r #1 priority over anything else (sic)", but her denial wasn't enough for network bosses at TLC - they announced on Friday (24Oct14) that the popular reality show, which debuted in 2012, had been canceled.

A statement released to People.com reads: "TLC has canceled 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."