End of road for Jam and Jerusalem

The pair, both 51, first rose to fame in ITV's Girls On Top in 1985 but took their final bow as a double act on stage in November 2008.

They continued with their last project, Jam And Jerusalem, but it is now being cancelled after three series, a BBC spokeswoman said.

Saunders played upper-crust Caroline and French the factory worker Rosie in the comedy, which took an affectionate look at village life and the togetherness found in a local community where everyone knows everyone else's business.

French has said previously: "There was just this gradual realisation that maybe there are other things we'd like to do; maybe it's a young person's game."

Co-star Pauline McLynn, who played Tip Haddem, wrote on her website: "It's a blow, I'll not lie to you. It was the BBC's decision not Jen's – she loved writing that series."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Audiences have enjoyed three series of Jam And Jerusalem and the time felt right to make way for different ideas."