Piers Morgan confirms CNN departure

Piers Morgan has confirmed he is departing CNN after rejecting a new two-year deal to host ''40 interview specials''.

The British presenter - whose show Piers Morgan Live was axed by CNN earlier this year - took to his Twitter account on Tuesday to reveal he is leaving the news network after rejecting a new two-year offer to host ''40 interview specials''.

In a series of tweets, he wrote: ''BREAKING NEWS: I am no longer a @CNN employee. ''I was offered a new 2-year deal by @CNN boss Jeff Zucker to host 40 big interview 'specials'. 'But after considerable thought, I decided not to accept it - and to try pastures new. (sic)''

Morgan, 49, went on to praise the network and thank the bosses for their time working on his talk show Piers Morgan Live, which aired more than 400 episodes from January 2011 to March 2014.

He tweeted: ''I had a fantastic time in my 4 years @CNN and have huge respect for Jeff; all the people who work there. Great company, great network.(sic)''

And, as he did in his final show, Morgan fired yet another parting shot at the National Rifle Association (NRA) after becoming infamous for his tirades against guns in the US during his time on TV in the country.

He wrote: ''I wouldn't crack the champagne open too quickly though, @NRA - I haven't finished with you lot yet. (sic)''

Following Piers' announcement he was inundated with suggestions about what he should do next by several of his Twitter followers. One suggested he might make a good pundit on British football round-up show Match Of The Day, but he joked: ''They can't afford me.''