Hugh Laurie has hinted 'House' is nearing its final episode.

The musician-and-actor - who plays antagonistic Dr. Gregory House in the medical drama, which is currently in its eighth series - admits the show is close to approaching its last year in production.

He said: "Whatever we're doing now on the show, we're doing it for its own satisfaction. I don't feel like we're struggling to prove ourselves to executives or critics.

"Not to be complacent about it, but I think we've moved beyond that stage and we're now in the last year maybe, or the end bit.

"We will have done about 180 shows by the end of this. Which is ridiculous, really. Ridiculous."

The 52-year-old star - whose family resides in London while he films 'House' in Los Angeles - is a self-confessed "coffee fanatic" and he relies on the beverage to get him in the mood for filming.

Hugh - who has to wake up at 5.30am every morning to travel to the set - added to Seven magazine: "I am a coffee fanatic. Once you go to Proper Coffee, you can't go back. You cannot go back.

"We have a better chance of making the show without a camera than without coffee."