Piers Morgan will be retiring from Life Stories after 12 years. Kate Garraway will take his place.
The former Good Morning Britain anchor, 56 years old, confirmed the news via a tweet on Thursday. He said that his time as a host for over 100 shows had been ‘a blast’.
Kate, 54, is a GMB actor and close friend. She will also take over the last three episodes of the series.
Piers Morgan will end his 12 year tenure as host of Life Stories. Kate Garraway will replace him.
Piers announced the news to his 8million followers on Twitter. He explained that he was leaving ITV to start his own daily program.
He said: ‘BREAKING NEWS: I’m quitting Life Stories after 12 years and 100 shows. My final one will be with my fabulous friend @kategarraway and she will then present the remaining 3 planned shows of the next series as I leave ITV to host my new global daily show.’
The broadcaster added: ‘It’s been a blast!’
Stepping up: Fellow GMB star and close friend Kate, 54, will take over the final three episodes of the series as well as feature in her very own interview in what will be Piers’ very last show
Confirmation: The former Good Morning Britain anchor, 56, confirmed the news in a tweet on Thursday, where he revealed that his time fronting over 100 shows had ‘been a blast’
MailOnline was informed by an ITV spokesperson that his interview with Kate Garraway on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories would be his last. Kate will then take over his role for the three remaining episodes of the series.
Piers has been a great host for more than 100 Life Stories. His interviewees include the best in showbiz, politics, and business.
“We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Good friends: ‘She’s been a great friend for three decades, was a wonderfully loyal and supportive colleague during my five years on GMB and is honestly one of my favourite people in the world’
They also added: “Kate is a brilliant journalist, an inquisitive interviewer, and we look forward her three upcoming shows.”
The last three episodes hosted in 2022 by Kate will air.
Speaking on how he feels about Kate filling his shoes, Piers said: ‘I can’t think of anyone who I would rather finish my run with than Kate.
‘She’s been a great friend for three decades, was a wonderfully loyal and supportive colleague during my five years on GMB and is honestly one of my favourite people in the world.
New job: Discussing her new role, Kate said: ‘It’s a big job, but I’ve always loved having the chance to talk to people, both on air and off’
‘The way she has handled the devastating family situation with Derek sums her up – Kate’s such a courageous, stoic, inspiring and tough cookie. She’s also had a fascinating life and I think viewers will find her story as enthralling as I know it to be.’
The broadcaster added that it was a ‘very’ tough decision to step away from the show, adding that he’s ‘extremely proud’ of the programme.
Discussing her new role, Kate said: ‘It’s a big job, but I’ve always loved having the chance to talk to people, both on air and off.
“Everyone has their own story, and the best thing about this program is that you can dive into the lives of guests that viewers might not have known about.
‘It’s also a chance to understand more about the bits we do already know about (both good and bad) and hear it in their own words.’
She shared her thoughts about Piers, saying: “Piers is going to pastures new and it is so happy for him. But it’s great to be able help out with the final three episodes.
Kate shared her feelings about being in the hot seat during her interview.
Moving on: The broadcaster added that it was a ‘very’ tough decision to step away from the show, adding that he’s ‘extremely proud’ of the programme
‘But seriously though, the great thing about Piers and I is that we’ve known each other for such a long time – throughout the highs and lows – so there’s no hiding anything from him but I also know he has my best interests at heart. It is clear that he will be hard, but it will come from a place where love and understanding are present.
Kate’s interview with Derek Draper will likely focus on her long battle against coronavirus, as well as her career.
Piers has hosted Life Stories from 2009 to date and has had the privilege of speaking with a variety of celebrities in difficult-hitting and often emotionally charged interviews.
He interviewed Joan Collins, Sir Kier Sterner, Gemma Collins and Dame Barbara Windsor, among others.
Front man: Piers has hosted Life Stories since it began in 2009 and has chatted to a number of famous faces in hard-hitting and often emotional interviews (pictured with Gemma Collins)
Chats: Among the names he’s interview are Joan Collins, Sir Kier Starmer, Cheryl, Gemma Collins, Dame Barbara Windsor and the late Captain Tom Moore (pictured)
Piers’ exit comes six months after he quit Good Morning Britain in March after an on-screen battle with Alex Beresford regarding Meghan Markle’s Oprah Winfrey interview.
Piers caused controversy when he claimed he didn’t believe a word Meghan said during an interview. The interview was broadcast on CBS on March 7. This triggered a heated exchange between Alex and Piers that resulted in Alex storming off set.
Later, it was revealed that Meghan also filed a formal complaint against Ofcom regarding the TV host, after he dismissed her claims of experiencing suicidal thoughts as well as racism at the hands the Royal Family.
57,000 people complained to media regulator Ofcom over his comments, but it was confirmed last month that the media regulator cleared the presenter and the programme of breaking the broadcasting code.
Piers has left: Piers resigned from Good Morning Britain after a dramatic clash with Alex Beresford in March over Meghan Markle’s Oprah Winfrey interview. (Piers was pictured in November of last year).
Off: Piers caused controversy after claiming he didn’t ‘believe a word’ Meghan said during her interview, first broadcast on CBS on March 7, leading to a tense exchange with co-star Alex resulting in him storming off set (pictured)