Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is joining controversial network GB News as an anchor and producer.
Johnson, who is set to start his role in the new year, will play “a key role in the channel’s coverage of both the U.K. general election and the U.S. elections next year,” the network said in a statement.
He is also set to create and host a new series about “the power of Britain around the world” and will also occasionally anchor live specials in front of audiences around the U.K.
“Hi folks, Boris Johnson here,” the former leader said in a video announcing the move. “I’m excited to say I’m shortly going to be joining you on GB News. And I’m going to be giving this remarkable new TV channel my unvarnished views on everything from Russia, China, the war in Ukraine — how we meet all those challenges — to the huge opportunities that lie ahead for us. Why I think our best days are yet to come and why on the whole the people of the world want to see more global Britain, not less. So joing me on GB News for some great British television.”
Editorial Director Michael Booker said: “I’m delighted to say, GB News has got Boris ‘done’! We are tremendously proud to have him join the GB News family, particularly as we head into a seismic year of politics both here and across the Atlantic.
“Boris has been the most influential Prime Minister of our generation, and his unique insight into domestic and world affairs will be a smash hit with our viewers and listeners. As well as his political skills, he’s an incredibly talented journalist and author, so we can’t wait to start working with him on what will be must-see TV.”
GB News launched in 2021 with the help of several backers including Discovery. Following the media company’s merger with Warner Bros it exited its investment a year later.
Johnson is the latest Conservative politician to join the network following in the footsteps of former colleagues Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg.