Meanwnile, a judge in the Insolvency and Companies court has made an order winding up Debenhams.

Judge Daniel Schaeffer made the order at a hearing on Monday after describing the company as a "rudderless ship" and said the official receiver should assess the position.

Debenhams has been wound up by a judge in a specialist court.

Judge Daniel Schaffer made a winding-up order at an online hearing in the Insolvency and Companies Court on Monday.

He described the company as a "rudderless ship" drifting in an "ocean of insolvency".

The judge said an official receiver should now assess Debenhams' position.

A spokeswoman for Debenhams stressed that the judge's decision to wind up the company would not affect the Boohoo deal.

The spokeswoman said the judge's winding up order and the Boohoo deal were "separate" pieces of news.

She said the winding up order related to the "old plc" and was not linked to the acquisition by Boohoo.