Piers Morgan gets ITV talkshow in £2m deal

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 30-May-08, 09:00

LONDON - ITV has confirmed that Piers Morgan, the former Daily Mirror editor, has signed an exclusive two-year deal with the channel, reported to be worth £2m.

As part of the deal, Morgan will return to judge a third season of hit show 'Britain's Got Talent', which is due to finish its current season with a live final this Saturday.

Later in 2009, Morgan will front a new documentary series, as well as hosting a new entertainment talkshow produced by ITV Productions.

He will also present a number of topical special projects throughout the two-year term.

Peter Fincham, ITV's director of television, said: "Piers Morgan is one of the most sought-after and popular entertainment personalities on British television and I'm delighted that we have been able to secure an exclusive partnership with him on ITV."

Morgan has also been filming 'America's Got Talent' in Las Vegas with Sharon Osbourne.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining ITV at such an exciting time of change and evolution for the network and look forward to making some innovative new entertainment programmes over the next few years."

'Britain's Got Talent' has been a big ratings winner for ITV on Saturday nights, with some shows pulling in more than 10m viewers. The final of season two is on this Saturday, May 31, at 6.50pm.