Anna Friel has admitted that she was gutted when she learned that Pushing Daisies had been axed by US TV network ABC.

The 33-year-old actress played Charlotte ‘Chuck’ Charles on the quirky comedy and enjoyed her first real success in America through the show.

Friel told the California Chronicle: “I was gutted for the audience and the fanbase. People were saying to me that they couldn’t believe it had been dropped.

“But I’m so proud of it. I’m so glad I was part of something that was genuinely groundbreaking TV, and although it didn’t last a lifetime it’ll stay in people’s memories for a long time, I think. It has definitely opened doors for other people who want to make daring TV.”

She added: “It was done over two years which makes it the longest job I’ve ever done. So it was sad saying goodbye to everyone and those fantastic costumes and great sets. But there’s no point in wallowing in it.”