'Will & Grace' close to deal for eighth season

A deal for an eighth season of Will & Grace is expected to be agreed within the next week, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The sitcom has been on hiatus in the States while NBC discusses the show's future with creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick.

Now both sides are on the cusp of agreeing a contract for another - and possibly final - season in 2005-06.

However, a severe ratings decline means that should the show return, its main stars will have to take a pay cut.

The current season has averaged just 10.8 million viewers, down from 15.6 million in 2003-04 and 16.8 million in 2002-03.