Pete 'in clear' over coat

Officers acted on complaints from viewers after the transvestite singer claimed it was made from gorilla.

But the Dead Or Alive star is expected to avoid a potential five-year jail term and unlimited fine.

Natural History Museum experts who tested the coat said although the fur might have come from a monkey, it was not an endangered species.

'We are quite happy the coat is not gorilla and we are not looking at offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations,' said Sgt Jamie Bartlett, of Hertfordshire police. 'At this moment, we are not looking at anything serious.'

The matter has now been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

But campaign group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it was irrelevant what fur the coat was made from. 'Whether it's a gorilla coat, a mink coat or a fox coat, all animals suffer equally at the hands of the fur trade,' added a spokeswoman.

'When Pete leaves the house, we would like to meet him and show him footage of how these coats are made.

'Hopefully we can educate him and persuade him to donate the coat to us.'

During the first week in the house, Burns's furry garment caused friction between him and Jodie Marsh, who said she was outraged that he would even consider wearing real fur.

However, former basketball star Dennis Rodman and Baywatch actress Traci Bingham did not say much on the issue - which was somewhat surprising, considering both have appeared in campaigns for Peta.