Stephen Colbert introduces 'identical twin' to Late Show due to legal dispute over the character of Stephen Colbert

Viacom weren't happy with him using his own likeness

Stephen Colbert is struggling to maintain the rights to his own name and face.

The Late Show host has been challenged by Comedy Central owner Viacom’s lawyers for using the ‘character’ Stephen Colbert from its Colbert Report on his new show.

Typically, he used it as a chance to mock corporate greed however, exploiting a loophole and inviting his “identical twin” onto the show instead.

“One moment that I really enjoyed last week was the return of Stephen Colbert, the host of The Colbert Report,” he told the audience in his latest Late Show, to cheers. “I’m glad you enjoyed it - I’ll tell you, you know who didn’t enjoy it so much? Corporate lawyers.

“Because and this is true, immediately after that show, CBS’ top lawyer was contacted by the top lawyer from another company to say that the character Stephen Colbert is their intellectual property, which is surprising because I never considered that guy much of an intellectual.

“So it is with a heavy heart that I announce that, thanks to corporate lawyers, the character of Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, will never be seen again."

When the crowd booed the news, he quipped: “I understand, I feel the same way, but what can I do? The lawyers have spoken. I cannot reasonably argue I own my face or name.

“As much as I’d love to have that guy on again I can’t, so instead, joining me now live via satellite, please welcome Stephen Colbert’s identical twin cousin, Stephen Colbert.”

Last week, Colbert welcomed Jon Stewart back onto the show for a blistering takedown of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.