Ellen DeGeneres has hit back at criticism for crossing the striking Hollywood writers' picket lines, insisting "I love my writers and I miss them."

The comedienne has come under fire for not joining fellow TV hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno and showing her support for the protesters - whereas they have shut down their shows since the strike began last week, DeGeneres has opted to continue filming The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

DeGeneres claims she decided to keep her talk show on air because she's contractually obliged to provide syndicated programming to stations that broadcast her program.

And she's surprised her decision has attracted so much criticism, when similarly syndicated programs such as Oprah remain unscathed.

DeGeneres says, "I try not to pay attention to anything, and I try not to read or watch TV or pay attention to what other people's opinions are... I'm just trying to do my job and trying to explain my support for my writers. What's sad is I support my writers 100 per cent. I love my writers and I miss them, and it's hard coming to work right now."

DeGeneres has axed plans to film her talk show in Manhattan, New York next week, after union bosses in the Big Apple urged her to scrap the program.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)