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Primeval ‘not facing axe’ says ITV

The cast of sci-fi ITV drama Primeval will be breathing a big sigh of relief today, after ITV denied newspaper reports that the series is being axed.

The Sun had reported that the show, which stars former S Club singer Hannah Spearritt, Ben Miller and some dinosaurs, was “facing extinction”, with a source claiming the show cost too much – but a spokesperson for the channel denied this was the case.

"It's not true,” said the spokesperson. “It's not going to be axed, it just hasn't been recommissioned and it is not unusual to wait for a series to run before considering recommission."

Sadly there’s no such respite for the BBC’s Judge John Deed, which a representative of the corporation confirmed would be coming to an end.

"Judge John Deed had a highly successful six-year run and it remains a series we are very proud of,” said the spokesperson. “But in order to introduce exciting new series to BBC One we have made the decision to end Judge John Deed whilst on a high."

Actor Martin Shaw, who plays the show’s title character, let the news slip on BBC Breakfast, saying, “I’d love to play more Judge John Deed, but the BBC has pulled it.”

by Will Parkhouse, Thursday 30 April 2009

Sources: PA, The Sun, Daily Mirror
Picture: ITV

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