Artie Lange 'plotting radio, television return'

Former Howard Stern Show comedian Artie Lange is reportedly negotiating to host a new talkshow.

Lange is currently finalising a deal to team with friend and fellow comic Nick DiPaolo for a sports programme that will air on Fox Sports Radio and be simulcast on DirecTV beginning in September, sources told TMZ.

The potential deal is apparently being drafted by staff members of sportscaster Dan Patrick's radio programme. Patrick is an avowed fan of The Howard Stern Show and has appeared on Stern's Celebrity Superfan Roundtable in the past.

Long-time friends DiPaolo and Lange made their debut as a radio team last week when they filled in for Fox Sports Radio host Tony Bruno.

The guest hosting slot marked Lange's first media appearance since he was hospitalised for self-inflicted stab wounds in January 2010.

Lange was a regular contributor to The Howard Stern Show for nine years, but has not rejoined the programme since his alleged suicide attempt.

He told a caller during his radio return last week that he would love to reunite with Stern, but was unsure if his former employer felt the same way.

Stern admitted earlier this year that he is hesitant to allow Lange to return to his daily Sirius XM talkshow out of concern for the comic's sobriety.

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Listen to Artie Lange discuss his desire to work with Howard Stern again below: