Piers Morgan buys Kensington pub

Piers Morgan has confirmed that he has bought a pub near his London home.

The Daily Mail reports that the TV presenter, who is due to replace Larry King as presenter of CNN's flagship prime-time programme in January, has purchased the Hansom Cab pub in Kensington.

Morgan told the newspaper: "Pubs play a big role in my family. My parents used to run one in East Sussex called the Griffin Inn, and my brother Rupert has worked in the trade.

"Rupert is going to be general manager. He used to run Guy Ritchie's pub The Punch Bowl [in Mayfair], but we decided we'd get our own place and give Ritchie a damn good run for his money. We're going to have a lot of fun."

The former newspaper editor joked: "[My wife] Celia has gamely agreed to be a barmaid on Friday nights. I'm still negotiating her outfit."