'Academy' not returning for Comic Relief

Fame Academy will not return for a new celebrity series this year, a report claims.

The talent show tutored famous faces for Comic Relief in 2005 and 2007, despite the BBC's decision to scrap the original non-celebrity format in 2003.

A spokesman told the Daily Star that the Academy is now closing its doors for good, adding: "There will be a new show to replace it."

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was voted as the winner in the show's most recent series, triumphing over actress Tricia Penrose.

Meanwhile, the original show is best remembered for helping to launch the career of Lemar, who finished in third place in 2002.