GB News chairman Andrew Neil has revealed that he remains hopeful of convincing Piers Morgan to join the channel later this year.
The major new news channel launches this Sunday with a format of debate-led programming rather than rolling news, as well as a commitment to highlight issues affecting local communities around the UK outside of London.
Morgan has been out of work since quitting Good Morning Britain in March, having refused to apologise for his criticism of Meghan Markle for her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Neil has since launched a charm offensive in an attempt to sign up Morgan for GB News but expects the former newspaper editor to enjoy a summer without work before reconsidering his future.
"He has a different timetable to us," Neil told this week's Radio Times. "He wants to have a reasonably leisurely summer, and who can blame him? He doesn't need the money!
"You don't need everything for the launch. It's always good to have a relaunch or a refreshment down the road and maybe Piers could be part of that."
Neil also quashed the suggestion that Morgan could be tempted to host a GMB rival on the channel, adding: "All my indications are that Piers doesn't want another breakfast show.
"But I think if he does any more British news TV it's more likely to be with us than with anybody else.
"He knows that we feel that he would be a great addition to the lineup."
GB News goes live at 8pm on Sunday with a special introductory programme hosted by Neil.
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