Monkey cannot front Comic Relief - administrators

Hopes that ITV Digital's Monkey could become the new face of Comic Relief have been dealt a blow by administrators for the failed broadcaster.

Deloitte & Touche say they cannot give permission for the knitted puppet to be used by other organisations until the channel's finances have been sorted out.

Spokeswoman Emma Thoroughgood said: "Much as we would like him to be used by a charitable organisation, it is not possible at the moment.

"Monkey is regarded as one of ITV Digital's assets and has not been sold off yet. Until this has been resolved, we cannot let him be used.

"A decision on his future is unlikely to be taken until after a creditors' meeting on June 13."

The puppet is also at the centre of a custody battle, with both the administrators and its creators claiming ownership.

London-based ad-agency Mother said it may still be Monkey's legal owner and has called in lawyers to investigate its claim.

They want him to go to Comic Relief to stop a fight over who owns the rights to him.

ITV Digital collapsed last month with the loss of hundreds of jobs, after running into serious financial problems.