Piers Morgan: cock of the walk or feather duster?
“One day you’re cock of the walk, the next you’re a feather duster” is Piers Morgan’s catchline on Twitter and “family motto” – but on Monday he was axed by CNN.
Mr Morgan’s prime-time talk show was cancelled with the journalist admitting the audience in the United States is getting “tired” of him.
The former newspaper editor joined US channel CNN in a blaze of publicity three years ago to take over from veteran Larry King, but his show has struggled in the ratings with initial audiences of two million falling to around 270,000.
Morning everyone! > http://t.co/N1Qgb7nJrz ps. I blame Kevin Pietersen.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 24, 2014
The 48-year-old told the New York Times that he and CNN president Jeff Zucker were discussing a new role for him at the channel, where his contract ends in September, but admitted his brash British approach had alienated viewers.
Mr Morgan’s campaigning stance in favour of gun control has led to some high-profile clashes with opponents and hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition calling for him to be deported.
The New York Times media journalist David Carr also suggested Morgan’s obsession with cricket – he regularly takes to Twitter in support of his friend Kevin Pietersen – was not helping.
He said: “Mr Morgan might want to lay off the steady cricket references if he is worried about his credibility with American audiences.”
Humbling to bring such happiness to so many people today. Coming 3rd, as I’ve always said, is not a trophy. #MorganOut #CNN
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 24, 2014
Morgan, whose Twitter profile says “One day you’re the cock of the walk, the next a feather duster”, has previously said he would “be taken out of CNN kicking and screaming”.
Mr Morgan told the New York Times: “It’s been a painful period and lately we have taken a bath in the ratings.
“Look, 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.
“That’s run its course and Jeff and I have been talking for some time about different ways of using me.”
CNN said the date of the final edition of Piers Morgan Live has yet to be decided and did not comment on any future plans.