Piers Morgan, the former CNN talkshow host, has been appointed editor-at-large of Mail Online’s US operation.
The outspoken New York-based British journalist, who parted company with CNN in early September, six months after his primetime talkshow was axed, will write for the Daily Mail’s US website several times a week, according to a Mail Online story published on Tuesday.
Mail Online said Morgan would bring his own experience and perspective to bear on the big US stories of the moment.
He will continue contributing a weekly column to the Mail on Sunday newspaper and hosting Piers Morgan’s Life Stories on ITV in the UK.
Morgan described Mail Online as an “addictive pleasure” and the “most successful and dynamic platform in the world of news”.
He said: “News should never be boring and Mail Online tells the stories of the day in a compelling, informative and entertaining way that grabs the interest of its readers. As editor-at-large (US) I plan on breaking down the biggest stories that matter to Americans and analyzing them in a way that will generate discussion and create debate.”
Martin Clarke, publisher and editor-in-chief of Mail Online said: “[Morgan] has vast experience as an editor and presenter and certainly knows how to generate conversation and create debate so we’re delighted that he will be joining us as our first ever editor-at-large.”
Joining Mail Online marks yet another career comeback for Morgan, 49, who fittingly on his Twitter profile features the quote: “One day you’re the cock of the walk, the next a feather duster.”
He was a surprise choice to replace Larry King as CNN’s primetime talkshow host in 2011 and the show was cancelled in February due to disappointing ratings.
Far from winning over sceptical Americans, Morgan alienated viewers with his calls for stringent gun controls following the December 2012 killings of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
Hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition calling for Morgan to be deported over the issue, with one of its organisers, Alex Jones, warning him after a shouting match on his show: “Don’t try what your ancestors did before.”
Morgan admitted that ratings for his show had “taken a bath”, falling below 300,000 from an early high of 2 million.
“I am a British guy debating American cultural issues, including guns, which has been very polarising, and there is no doubt that there are many in the audience who are tired of me banging on about it,” he told the New York Times in February.
However, Mail Online is likely to have been attracted Morgan by precisely that ability to stir up controversy, as well as page views.
At a time when mainstream media organisations are scrambling to adapt to the BuzzFeed-led drive towards news and content that can be shared via social networks, Mail executives will also have noted Morgan’s 4.25m Twitter followers.
Before moving to New York to work for CNN, Morgan was best known in the UK as a tabloid newspaper editor.
He became the youngest ever British national newspaper editor in 1994, aged 29, when Rupert Murdoch put him charge of the News of the World.
After a short and controversial stint running the Sunday paper, including a public dressing down from Murdoch over pictures of Princess Diana’s sister in law leaving an addictive disorders clinic, Morgan jumped ship to take over as editor of rival tabloid the Daily Mirror the following year.
He edited the Mirror for nine years, before being sacked in 2004 after publishing fake pictures allegedly showing Iraqi prisoners being abused by British soldiers.
Morgan then moved into TV presenting, with judging roles on Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent.
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