One is not amused

The Queen's favourite television programme - The Kumars At No 42 - is to end.

Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal, the show's married co-stars, have decided not to make any more episodes of the BBC spoof chat show, which has run for four years.

Instead the couple are to concentrate on other projects and spend time with their first child, who is due shortly.

A BBC insider told the Standard: "The Kumars has been a huge hit but they feel that enough is enough - they have done as much as they can with the format."

Guests in the Kumar family's suburban sitting room-cum-TV-studio have included everyone from David Hasselhoff and Jerry Hall to Donny Osmond and Charlotte Church.

Bhaskar plays the host and Syal dons heavy make-up to play his grey-haired, filthy-minded grandmother. BBC bosses believe Syal is the audience winner and plan to discuss new projects with her. However, Syal, 44, wants to devote herself to her baby for at least a year before returning to work. She already has a 12-year-old daughter, Chameli, from her first marriage.

Bhaskar, 40, is due to return to the BBC in January in a comedy detective show. He also wants to make documentaries.

The Kumars has grown into an international hit with followings in Australia, America and India. Royal sources have said that the Queen is an avid viewer.

A spokeswoman for Hat Trick, the company which produces the show, said: "I'm sure there will be a new series but when is another matter."