Ask brings back Jeeves

[Matt]

Search engine , as it reintroduces the iconic fictional butler into its corporate branding.

Jeeves was dropped from the brand in 2006 as the search engine began a series of facelifts aimed at increasing market share and gaining on Google.

At the time there was a brief campaign from users to have him reinstated.

Ask says the return of the valet, based on a character created by PG Wodehouse, is in response to "user demand".

Managing director Cesar Mascaraque denied the rethink was a last-ditch effort to gain ground on market leader Google.

"We have seen a growth of 20% this year, so we are not struggling," he said.