NEW YORK (AFP) - US reality TV channel TLC said on Friday it's pulling the plug on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo amid reports that one of its adult stars is dating a convicted child molester.

The show, featuring child beauty pageant contestant Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson and her eccentric family in rural Georgia, has been running for four seasons, drawing millions of fans.

But its future was thrown into doubt after reports that the family's stay-at-home mom, 35-year-old June "Mama June" Shannon, is romantically involved with a man convicted and jailed in 2004 for aggravated child molestation.

On Facebook, Shannon denied the media reports, saying she left the man 10 years ago.

"And I wouldn't go back... It isn't true, I promise. My kids r (my) #1 priority," she wrote.

In a statement, TLC, a unit of Discovery Communications, said it has "cancelled the series... and ended all activities around the series, effective immediately".

"Supporting the health and welfare of these remarkable children is our only priority," it added.

"TLC is faithfully committed to the children's ongoing comfort and well-being."

Last month, Shannon confirmed she was breaking up with nine-year-old Thompson's father Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson after 10 years together.

The family also includes three older daughters, nicknamed Pumpkin, Chickadee and Chubbs.