The axe has fallen on ABC program The Book Club after longtime host Jennifer Byrne decided to leave the public broadcaster after a two decade career.

The veteran journalist and television presenter will sign off for the last time in mid-December for the TV show's Christmas special.

Byrne has been the host of The Book Club for more than a decade. It first went to air in 2006 as First Tuesday Book Club, before changing its name but retaining regular panelists Marieke Hardy and Fairfax Media's books editor Jason Steger.

There were rumours the ABC was considering getting rid of the talk show earlier this year after just eight episodes were produced, down from the usual 10.