It's the end of the road for French and Saunders as show is axed

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 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. That was one of toppest jobs ever, and it breaks my heart that there'll be no more."

She went on: "For those of you who were wondering, it was the BBC's decision not Jen's – she loved writing that series as much as we loved loved loved being in it.

"I think it would indeed be great if you all complained to the BBC also – it may do no good but at least they'll know the strength of feeling out there for the show and how poor a decision we all think it is to be rid of it."

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

"We are already discussing new projects with Jennifer Saunders and eagerly anticipate Roger And Val, starring Dawn French, on BBC2 in the new year."

Widely popular in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, the French and Saunders show was given one of the highest budgets in BBC history to create spoofs and satires of popular culture, movies, celebrities and art.

Saunders won a Bafta, an Emmy award and international acclaim for writing and playing the lead role of Edina Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous.

Meanwhile, French starred in the highly successful sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.