The decision to ban a drama portraying the life Egypt's legendary dancer and actress, Tahia Karioka, during Ramadan was not influenced by the coming to power of Islamists, head of state TV Essam El-Amir has claimed.

"If I'd been the head of state TV during the Mubarak era I'd have made the same decision," El-Amir said in an interview with Al-Ahram Arabic. "The show is not suitable for Ramadan but will be shown at a later date."

The decision not to show Karioka was taken some time ago when developing the Ramadan schedule, he added.  

Among the other postponed projects was a series called The Fourth Wife. 

El-Amir is still putting together the Ramadan schedule and hopes to offer programmes that are "distinctive and attractive to audiences" but are suitable for the religious "month of worship."

There would be a wide range of entertainment shows on state TV during Ramadan, he promised.