ONLY A FEW YEARS ago the former editor of The Mirror was hung out to dry from printing fake pictures of British soldiers abusing prisoners in Abu Grhaib, now Piers Morgan is on top of the world.

The Sun says the Britain’s Got Talent star  has signed a deal for £5.5m will CNN to take over from veteran broadcaster Larry King. King announced his retirement his retirement last month amid falling ratings. Morgan, 45, is said to have fought off American Idol host Ryan Seacrest and CBS News’ Katie Couric for the slot.

The deal, which lasts four years will see Morgan take the coveted 9pm slot.

Media Guardian is reporting that Morgan is said to have impressed execs at CNN with his interviewing style. He has previous hosted three series of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories for ITV where he interviewed fellow celebrities Danii Minogue, Simon Cowell and Richard Branson.