The Oprah Winfrey Show will be no more after 9 September 2011, it has been announced.

After being a fixture of weekday afternoon TV schedules in the US for 25 years, the queen of daytime has decided to bow out when the next series comes to an end.

Tim Bennett, the president of her company HARPO, said in a statement on Thursday: "Tomorrow, Oprah will announce live on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' that she has decided to end what is arguably one of the most popular, influential and enduring programs in television history.

“The sun will set on the "Oprah" show as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011."

Within hours of the announcement, famous admirers were queuing up to pay tribute to the global superstar and successful businesswoman, who started out as Nashville's first African-American TV correspondent.

During her own talk show, Ellen DeGeneres credited Oprah for inspiring her career.

"Right before I came out here, I got a call from Oprah and she told me that she is announcing that next year will be her last year," she said.

"I don't think I could be here without her. I think she has blazed a trail...She is an amazing woman. She will always be the queen of daytime television and she also said she is leaving me all of her money."