Celebrated US comedian Stephen Colbert failed in bidding to be a Democratic presidential candidate in South Carolina on Thursday.

After about 40 minutes of discussion, the executive council of the South Carolina Democrats decided by voting 13-3 to block Colbert out of the crowded presidential candidate camp.

Colbert attempted to "detract from the serious candidates on the ballot," said council member Waring Howe.

But Republican Gilda Cobb-Hunter of the state said before the council that Colbert could showcase South Carolina "in a way that none of the other candidates on the ballot have been able to do."

The 43 year-old famous talk show host of "The Colbert Report" paid a filing fee of US$2,500 by the deadline on Thursday noon.

He announced his candidacy last month and said he would run only in South Carolina, a key primary state. He also said that he plans to run as a Democrat and a Republican so he could lose twice.

Colbert appeared on Sunday at the University of South Carolina in Columbia for a presidential campaign, and was granted a key to the capital city by the mayor and declared as the South Carolina's "favorite son."

After the failure, Colbert will get his US$2,500 back.   

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2007)