Controversial men’s tabloid magazine Zoo Weekly will publish its final issue in October.

Publisher Bauer Media blamed the closure on “tough retail conditions in the men’s market”.

“I would like to thank the teams here at Bauer, as well as the advertisers and retailers who have supported the brand,” Bauer chief David Goodchild said in a statement posted online.

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Associate publisher Ewen Page added: “The staff has done a great job on Zoo Weekly over the years and I commend their work and thank them for their dedication and effort.

“It is not an easy decision to close a magazine and we have certainly considered all options before coming to this conclusion.”

Zoo Weekly was often embroiled in controversy, including in 2012, when it photoshopped Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s head onto a lingerie model’s body.

Senator Hanson-Young won the subsequent defamation case against Zoo and the magazine published an apology online as part of an agreed settlement.

The closure of the magazine encompasses all platforms: print, website and social media assets and will take effect from October 12.