Viewers of the popular 'Newsnight' programme on the BBC were in for a surprise last night, as a fictional children's character joined the show for a live interview.

'Sesame Street' characters Cookie Monster and Elmo are to star in a new programme for CBeebies, the children's station of the BBC.

Presenter Emily Maitlis gave the Cookie Monster character the last word to end the show on Monday night.

The new show he will be fronting aims to improve problem-solving skills for children and will be aired next autumn.

Cookie Monster first appeared on 'Sesame Street' when it started in the United States in 1969, with Elmo joining in the 1970s and becoming a regular character by the next decade.