The writing could be on the wall for The Larkins, the Kent-based reboot of The Darling Buds of May.

Reports suggest the ITV comedy drama starring funnyman Bradley Walsh as Pop Larkin faces the axe after just two series following a slump in audience figures.

When the first series was aired it attracted 4.8m viewers. But when it returned without Sabrina Bartlett, who played Mariette Larkin, only 2.9m people tuned in. Tellingly, there was no Christmas special this year.

According to The Sun, a source said: “The Larkins is going to be dropped in the new year. The writing is on the wall.

“The ratings for series two were disappointingly low and cast disagreements on set have been an ongoing problem for the production team."

The Sun said a clash between Sabrina and Tok Stephen, who plays love interest tax man Charley Charlton, was behind her decision to leave and created a "massive problem" for bosses.

Newcomer Joelle Rae replaced Bridgerton star Sabrina, 31, when the series returned in October.

The original Darling Buds of May starring David Jason and Pam Ferris, aired from 1991 to 1993 and launched the career of Catherine Zeta Jones as Mariette. It was also filmed in Kent, mainly at Pluckley.

The remake which stars The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh as Pop and Joanna Scanlan as Ma Larkin, is set in the late 1950s. Canterbury, Tonbridge, Broadstairs, West Peckham and Faversham have been used as locations.

The Sun says a second source has confirmed there are no plans for a third series to be filmed.

The show is made by Objective Fiction and Covent Garden-based Genial Productions run by Sophie Clarke-Jervoise (A Fish Called Wanda and The Vicar of Dibley) and writer Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly).

Genial Productions has been asked for a comment.

HE Bates, a former journalist, wrote the books after moving into an old granary at Little Chart, near Ashford, with his wife Madge.

In the original TV series Buss Farm at Bethersden was used for Home Farm, the Larkins' residence. It was later turned into holiday accommodation and is now a private home.Filming also took place in Folkestone and Maidstone.

Last summer, the film crew transformed Faversham into part of The Larkins’ perfect patch of Kent. Carters Newsagents in Market Street were turned into Venwell & Co while Ward and Partners was rebranded as Coxfield Bank and Presentimes became Dilly’s Gifts.

Bradley Walsh was also spotted enjoying an ice cream during filming in Broadstairs.

Executive producer Sophie Clarke-Jervoise said at the time: “This version of The Larkins is really a much more modern take on the original source material. I know Simon Nye who has written the scripts wanted to have clear water between the two.”