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London (pte042/17.03.2005/15:30) - Chat show king Jerry Springer is set to bring his controversial talk show to the UK after agreeing a deal with British broadcaster ITV http://www.itv.com . As the Media Guardian http://www.mediaguardian.co.uk reports, ITV said today that it had signed up Springer to produce a UK version of his infamous confessional show, which made him a household name in the US. The show also inspired a hit West End musical. "The ink's drying as we speak. He has an easy rapport with audiences over here," said a spokeswoman.
Springer will front a month-long run of studio-based shows at 9:25 am. The new series marks a return to ITV for the British-born former politician who became a TV show host. His US show appeared on the channel in the late 1990s and proved a ratings success, with around 2.5 million viewers regularly tuning in. Springer is already a familiar face in the UK, recently appearing on ITV's Parkinson and has hosted a game show, Greed, for Five as well as featuring as a guest host on Capital Gold's drive-time show.
ITV have been looking for a presenter to replace Trisha Goddard since she quit her eponymous chat show in October and defected to Five. Trisha was a huge hit with viewers on ITV, regularly pulling in an audience of 1.6 million, but quit last October, following reports that her daytime TV show was being axed by TV bosses after a series of rows over money and control of the series. "I've had six fantastic years at ITV and have been fortunate enough to work with some great people," she said at the time. "However, emotional upheaval can make one re-evaluate one's life, and I know in my heart that it's time for a change," she added.
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