QVC responds to Jane Fonda's axe claims

Shopping network QVC has released a statement regarding the axed appearance by actress Jane Fonda.

The Barbarella star was due to appear on QVC this weekend to promote her new self-help book Prime Time, but the network later cancelled the appearance without warning.

In response, Fonda posted an angry message on her website claiming that the network had succumbed to pressure from political activists regarding her stance on the Vietnam War.

"QVC is live 24 hours a day and welcomes more than 22,000 guests a year," a spokesman for the network told Reuters. "It's not unusual to have a schedule change with our shows and guests with little or no notice."

However, the spokesman refused to comment on Fonda's suggestion that the cancellation was politically motivated.

"I can't speak to Ms Fonda's comments, other than to confirm that a change in scheduling resulted in her not appearing today," they instead added.

QVC has yet to announce whether Fonda will be invited back for a rescheduled appearance.

Fonda previously said that she is considering a return to cable television in the near future.