HANGZHOU - The media supervisory department in East China's Zhejiang province on Thursday refuted allegations that it has ordered a dancer to stop appearing on a televised talent show because of the dancer's transexuality.

Local authorities have never issued such an order regarding Jin Xing, a transsexual dancer who judged competitors on the popular TV show "Feitongfanxiang," according to Hu Jian, director of the general office of Zhejiang's Radio, Film and Television Bureau.

The decision to bar Jin from appearing on the show was made by Zhejiang TV, the show's broadcaster, Hu said, adding that the bureau has not interfered with the show.

Zhejiang TV declined to comment on the matter. However, local media have reported that Jin will not appear on the show's Saturday season finale, citing inside sources from Zhejiang TV.

The controversy started when Jin claimed that she was axed because of a ban initiated by local media authorities.

"I couldn't show up to film the finale because the local radio and television bureau forbade me from judging the show," Jin wrote on her microblog.

Jin claimed the ban was initiated because of her sex change operation and accused the bureau of gender discrimination. She said that while the TV appearance was not important, the fact that she was discriminated against was unacceptable. She also asked for an official apology from Zhejiang TV and local media authorities.

Jin's posts sparkled heated discussion, with many netizens deriding the alleged ban as being too old-fashioned and prudish.

"The ban is totally absurd and groundless. Jin is a talented judge. Her sex change should not be a criterion," said Gu Juan, a frequent viewer of the show.

Jin also served as a judge on a dance show broadcasted by Shanghai-based Dragon TV. Dragon TV said that Jin is still employed by the station.