The man convicted over the murder of TV presenter Jill Dando has been granted the right to a second appeal over the case.

Barry George, 41, is currently serving a life sentence over the death of the BBC presenter, who was shot on the doorstep of her home in Fulham, west London, in April 1999.

But his case will now be referred back to the court of appeal after a decision by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

George, portrayed by prosecutors at his original trial as a disturbed loner, lost an initial appeal against his conviction in 2002.

But doubts about the only piece of forensic evidence against him have caused the case to be re-examined.

The CCRC had decided to refer the case back to the court of appeal on the grounds that a speck of firearms discharge residue found in George's coat pocket was given too much importance and significance by the jury that convicted him.

"Our investigation of this case could not have been more thorough or intensive," chairman of the commission, Professor Graham Zellick, said.

"We used the formidable powers available to us under the Criminal Appeal Act. We meticulously considered every argument advanced on Mr George's behalf; read thousands of pages of documentation; entered into extensive correspondence; contacted or interviewed more than 100 people; sought appraisals and advice from experts; examined relevant research; and finally a committee of three commissioners deliberated on every point.

"The review has taken some considerable time in view of the complexity of the investigation."

Speaking to Sky News after the verdict, George's lawyer Jeremy Moore said his team had "got over the first hurdle".

"He has served seven years in prison for a heinous crime he says he didn't commit," Mr Moore said.

"Barry suffers from as number of psychological problems which have only been exacerbated by his stay in prison. I'm sure this decision will come as a great relief but this is only the first step on the road to his hopeful release."

Prior to George's conviction over the killing of Miss Dando, speculation had arisen that the 37-year-old Crimewatch presenter may have been the victim of a professional hitman.

Want to advertise in Scarlet, Harlot or this website? Click here and download our media pack which has all the information you need.

Scarlet Media Pack 2008