BBC defends axing Jam & Jerusalem

The BBC has defended its decision to axe Jennifer Saunders’s sitcom Jam & Jerusalem.

Several viewers complained that the sitcom, set in a West Country women’s guild, will not be recommissioned – spelling the end of Saunders professional partnership with French.

The news was not broken through official channels, but through a blog entry written by co-star Pauline McLynn, who also played Mrs Doyle in Father Ted.

The BBC’s complaints unit has now issued a statement about the move, saying: ‘Not bringing Jam & Jerusalem back was a hard decision to make, especially as there was a lot of support for the show.

‘There's never an easy way to relay this kind of news to viewers but rest assured the decision wasn't taken lightly.

‘The BBC is committed to opening up opportunities for new ideas and creative talent and unfortunately at this time it was decided that Jam & Jerusalem had reached a natural end and should make way for the new.

‘We look forward to working with Jennifer Saunders again in the future and are eagerly anticipating Roger and Val starring Dawn French and Alfred Molina on BBC Two in the coming weeks.’

When launched in 2006, Jam & Jersualem attracted an impressive 6.7million viewers to BBC One, although audience figures soon plummeted. Last summer’s third series averaged 3.9 million.

Published: 14 Jan 2010