BBC Two's long running Asian TV series 'Desi DNA' has been axed and will not be returning for a sixth series, according to reports in this week's Eastern Eye.

A further blow to this is that the BBC has not given any explanation or assurance of any sort of Asian TV show replacement. The news comes as surprising as the show had consistently delivered a healthy audience of 500,000 viewers in the late night weekday slot.

The report raises a question mark on the Asian Programmmes Unit (APU) who recently lost its head Gurdip Bhangoo to join Sony Entertainment Television Asia India as programming head. There are some who are speculating the end for APU after nearly 40 years of existence.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction and feature presenter of 'Desi DNA' expressed his surprise and anger at the decision of axing the show. In an interview with Eastern Eye, Friction said, "I am sad and a little bit angry that Desi DNA will not be coming back, both as a licence fee payer and as someone who has worked on the show. It was a great show for the early 21st century that covered a real mixed bag of music, arts and culture...The popularity of the show is not in doubt. I know that every show is up for discussion at the end of a series but that feedback on the last one was that it appealed to the youth without being patronising and also appeared to the older generation."

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed to Eastern Eye that there were no plans to bring back 'Desi DNA' in the immediate future.

BizAsia.co.uk contacted BBC Press Office on two occasions but to no avail.