U.K.'s Piers Morgan to replace Larry King

British journalist Piers Morgan will replace talk-show host Larry King on CNN's prime-time lineup in January, the network said on Wednesday.

Morgan, 45, is familiar to America viewers as a judge on reality show America's Got Talent and winner of Celebrity Apprentice.

A former British tabloid newspaper editor, he has hosted many British TV shows, including a popular interview show.

He was widely expected to take over from King, who announced in June that he would step down after 25 years.

Morgan issued a statement paying tribute to King, saying he "dreamed of one day filling the legendary suspenders of the man I consider to be the greatest TV interviewer of them all."

Morgan's CNN show will be a "candid, in-depth newsmaker interview program" based in New York with Morgan also working from London and Los Angeles, CNN said in a release.

The name of the show has not been announced.