Springer presents UK TV show

Judy Finnigan and her temporary co-host Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer, the US chat show host who is regarded as the king of confessional TV, is appearing on a UK daytime TV show.

Springer has joined Judy Finnigan presenting the ITV programme This Morning for two days - temporarily replacing her co-host and husband Richard Madeley.

Madeley is currently busy recording a documentary for ITV about freak weather.

On Monday's show Springer appeared on the set with a bouquet of flowers for Finnigan, serenading her with the song Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Jerry Springer turns his nose up at spotted dick pudding

"I can't fill Richard's shoes, but I can I can fill his chair - he is not a big guy," he said, slipping snugly into his presenter's chair opposite Finnigan.

In a musically themed first show Springer interviewed actor and singer Jimmy Nail and also the former lead singer of Slade, Noddy Holder.

The programme also tackled the topics of celebrity celibates and fat camps for overweight children.

Springer was invited into the kitchen to help cook the traditional British dish of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

But he said he was not interested in eating the typical British dessert.

"There is no way I am eating spotted dick," Springer said with a wry smile.

The 56-year-old politician turned chat show began his controversial chat shows in the US in 1991. The Jerry Springer Show became the first programme to knock Oprah Winfrey off the number one slot for 15 years.

Now broadcast all over the world, his show is notorious for its on-screen bust-ups leading to fist fights and family feuds among guests.

Springer appeared on the ITV programme This Morning as a guest last month when he was approached about the idea of co-presenting.

The show's editor Nick Bullen said: "It's a real coup for Jerry to agree to co-host the show in Richard's absence, but This Morning won't be turning into The Jerry Springer Show."

Speaking after the programme Springer said: "It was so much fun. I have never done anything like that before .I'd love to do a show like this. I love my show but it's always the same kind of thing."

Springer hinted he might have a UK-based project in the pipeline.

"I'm going to consider some things. I look for excuses to come to England because I love it here. I'm going to do something if I can and it fits in with my show in the States, but I don't want to be too specific."