Dropped from £7m ad campaign

Ali G has been dropped from an advertising campaign - because he isn't cool enough.

The Teacher Training Agency has planned a campaign around Sacha Baron Cohen's character to persuade more young men to join the profession.

But research showed the spoof gangsta did not appeal to the target age range.

Focus groups told the government agency: "We're over him now", Mediaguardian.co.uk reports.

The ads were due to be part of a £7million campaign to be launcged next month.

More men are needed to teach in primary schools, where only one teacher in six is male.

Published: 25 Apr 2002