Terry Deary calls a halt to Horrible Histories

The books, which have sold more than 25 million copies and inspired a hit television show, mix catchy comedy songs with some of the most gruesome  stories from history.

Deary has written about 60 books in the series, including Ruthless Romans, Cut Throat Celts and Terrifying Tudors.

He said: “It has naturally come to an end, the way things do.

“It has had a good run – it’s had a better run than most  children’s series. Things do have a saturation point, after which they become taken for granted. It would be a shame if that  happened.”

Deary, a former actor who grew up in Sunderland, started writing the books in 1992 and said he knows very little about history despite their success.

Writing on his website, he said: “Researchers dig up all the facts.

“My job as a children’s author is to present those facts in a way that will entertain them and not send them to sleep the way school history lessons do.

“I believe the books are a  success because I am not a  historian.”