01 January 2023 , 11:38
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The future of a popular ITV series is in doubt thanks to losing viewers and rumours of a cast feud.
The Larkins is reportedly facing the axe amid a ratings slump and the departure of star Sabrina Bartlett - with an insider claiming "the writing is on the wall" for the latest adaptation of the classic novel The Darling Buds of May.
Sabrina's decision not to reprise her role of Mariette Larkin for the second series of the ITV reboot was said to have caused "a massive problem" for bosses but isn't the only reason The Larkins may be pulled off our screens.
The comedy-drama set in rural 1950s Kent, also starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan, dropped two million viewers when it returned for its second series last year - leaving the possibility of a third offering from Pop and Ma Larkin and their six children looking unlikely.
Joanna Scanlan and Bradley Walsh star as Ma and Pop Larkin in the ITV series (ITV)
Bridgerton star Sabrina Bartlett opted not to return for second season of The Larkins last year (sabrinabartlett/Instagram)2.9million people tuned in to watch the opening episode of the second series of The Larkins - a drop compared to the 4.8million viewers who caught the first episode of their debut season in 2021.
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A source now claims Sabrina's decision not to return for a second series was down to a disagreement with with on-screen love interest Tok Stephen.
"The ratings for series two were disappointingly low and cast disagreements on set have been an ongoing problem for the production team," the source claims, after revealing the The Larkins will be dropped in the new year.
Sabrina's 'issue with Tok' was said to be the reason she quit the show (ITV)
The actor plays Charley, Mariette's love interest on The Larkins (ITV)"Sabrina’s issue with Tok and her decision to leave, was a massive problem for the bosses. But there have also been other disagreements," they add when speaking to The Sun.
Bridgerton star Sabrina, 31, has always claimed she left the ITV show due to scheduling clashes, but rumours swirled Tok made her feel uncomfortable due to using a selfie of her as his WhatsApp display picture.
Newcomer Joelle Rae replaced Sabrina when The Larkins returned for its second outing in October last year.
The Larkins gained millions of fans during its first series on air (ITV)The Mirror has approached ITV for comment on this story.
The Larkins has previously seen father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh appear on screen together, as the young actor follows in his dad's footsteps.
Not only has Barney, 25, starred alongside his father in their ITV docu-series Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad and The Larkins, the budding star has also made appearances in various television dramas and movies including Doctors and Law & Order and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Bradley's son has previously popped up in The Larkins (itv)"He has always been my son, and you always take care of them. But then all of a sudden he becomes your equal and a work colleague, and a mate, and someone you respect," dad Bradley has previously gushed when discussing what it is like to work with his son.
He continued on This Morning, saying: "Now I look up to him. Barney, bless him, was directing me on some of the things 'Dad don't worry about this, you need to be thinking about this', and actually producing me."
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