Piers Morgan is leaving News UK to focus on expanding his ‘Uncensored’ YouTube channel in the US

Piers Morgan is leaving Rupert Murdoch’s News UK media empire to concentrate on YouTube, it has been revealed.

The former newspaper editor says he will now be focusing on expanding his ‘Uncensored’ YouTube channel in the US.

The new arrangements involve a four-year revenue-sharing agreement with Mr Murdoch’s UK subsidiary, according to a Sky News report – which Mr Morgan then shared on X, formerly Twitter. 

Mr Morgan, 59, is believed to be taking control of the Uncensored media brand, which has 3.6million YouTube subscribers, through his production firm Wake Up Productions. 

News UK will reportedly receive a portion of advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan Uncensored until 2029.

Mr Morgan, who previously edited of the now-defunct Murdoch-owned newspaper the News Of The World, returned to News UK in 2021 on a three-year contract that involved columns for the Sun and the New York Post and shows on Talk TV. 

Mr Murdoch said in a statement at the time: ‘Piers is the broadcaster every channel wants but is too afraid to hire.’ 

That came after he left his presenting role on ITV’s Good Morning Britain in March 2021, following controversy over comments he made about the Duchess of Sussex. 

The newly-announced arrangements involve a four-year revenue-sharing agreement with the UK subsidiary of News UK owned by Rupert Murdoch (pictured)

Media watchdog Ofcom received more than 57,000 complaints about his remarks which followed Oprah Winfrey’s TV interview with Meghan and Prince Harry. 

Mr Morgan had dismissed Meghan’s account of suffering suicidal thoughts and experiencing racism at the hands of the royal family as he insisted he ‘didn’t believe a word’ – and he then walked off set after a debate with colleague Alex Beresford.

Mr Morgan, who refused to apologise, later announced his resignation and tweeted his thanks to the GMB team, praising them for their ‘hard work and dedication’ that led to them beating their main breakfast TV rival.

He wrote: ‘I had one goal when I joined GMB – beat BBC Breakfast in the ratings. On my last day, we did it.’

Under the new deal reported today, he is expected to write occasional columns for Murdoch-owned publications.

And he will reportedly go ahead with a book deal with publisher Harper Collins, which is also a Rupert Murdoch business. 

Mr Morgan said in a statement today: ‘I have had a great time working back at News and am delighted that we will continue to be partners.

‘Owning the brand allows my team and I the freedom to focus exclusively on building Uncensored into a standalone business, editorially and commercially, and in time, widening it from just me and my content.

Piers Morgan today confirmed the development with posts on X, formerly Twitter

News UK, owned by Rupert Murdoch (right), will reportedly receive a portion of advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan’s (left) Uncensored channel on YouTube until 2029

‘It’s clear from the recent US election that YouTube is an increasingly powerful and influential media platform, and Uncensored is one of the fastest-growing shows on it in the world.’

Scott Taunton, president of News UK subsidiary News Broadcasting, said the deal ‘gives Piers flexibility to grow his own business’. 

He added: ‘The changing media landscape means we have to be innovative about how we partner with superstar journalists and connect them to global audiences via our established brands.’

Mr Morgan’s former roles have also included being editor of the Mirror, presenter of CNN talk show Piers Morgan Live and ITV’s Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and judge on Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent.

And he won the US Celebrity Apprentice in 2007, which was helmed by US President-elect Donald Trump – whom Mr Morgan has interviewed several times since.

In 1994, he had become the youngest national newspaper editor in half a century when he rose through the ranks to the top job at the News Of The World aged 29 – before being appointed editor of the Mirror the following year.

But Mr Morgan was sacked ‘with immediate effect’ in May 2004 after the newspaper published false images which alleged to show Iraqi prisoners being abused by British soldiers.

The photographs were proven to be fakes within days, and the Mirror claimed it had fallen victim to a ‘calculated and malicious hoax’.