TLC pulls 19 Kids and Counting amid Josh Duggar molestation claims

American cable network TLC has pulled episodes of 19 Kids and Counting from its schedule, after allegations that cast member Josh Duggar molested five underage girls, including his sisters, when he was a teen.

Representatives for the network had originally refused tocomment on the allegations against Duggar,who is theeldestson on the showwhichfollows the daily dramas of a large and devout Christian family.

By Friday, the network went public with its decision to remove the popular reality TV series from its lineup.

"We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation,"the network said in a statement published in the New York Times, "andour thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time."

TLC faced an intense backlash from viewers who were angry that the network had gone ahead with a 19 Kids and Counting marathon on Thursday despite the claims.

The alleged offences, revealed in a Springdale, Ark., police reportpublished bycelebrity gossip publication InTouch, date back to 2002, when Duggarwas 14.

Duggar's parents filed the report,but police didn't laycharges.

Duggar, now amarried, 27-year-old father of three, issued an apology on theDuggarfamily'sofficial Facebook page.

"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret," reads the message. "I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counselling."

'Teenage mistakes'

Duggar's wife, Anna, says she knew about her husband's "past teenage mistakes" before they were married, but that she believed he had changed after he "humbled himself before God and those whom he had offended."

Duggaralso announced he was resigning his position as a lobbyist with the Family Research Council (FRC), an organization dedicated to preserving family values in America.

Tony Perkins, president of the Washington-based Christian lobbying group, said in a statement Thursday that Duggar resigned because of information becoming public that he believed would "make it difficult for him to be effective." As executive director of FRC Action, he served as a public face of the organization.

Honey Boo Boo's mom mad

TLC's pulling of the long-running19 Kids and Counting, which launched on the network in 2008,comes months after itwas forced to cancel another of its signature shows.

Last October, the network abruptlycancelledHere Comes Honey Boo Boo, a colourful seriesabout a child beauty pageant contestant amidreports her mother, June Shannon, was dating a man who wasconvicted of child molestation.

• AUDIO|The reality of Honey Boo Boo

Shannon was so angry at TLC's delay in cancelling19 Kids and Countingshetold celebrity gossip website TMZ on Friday that she was getting ready to sue for what she considersunfair and inconsistent treatment.