World reacts to death of Larry King

Legendary US broadcaster Larry King has been remembered as a master interviewer with a sense of humour and grace.

King died in hospital on Saturday at age 87 after a battle with coronavirus.

With a career spanning 63 years, King became a household name as the host of CNN's Larry King Live, which logged a record-setting run of hours from 1985 to 2010.

He interviewed some 50,000 celebrities, politicians and sports stars on radio and TV, usually wearing his trademark suspenders.

"It was always a treat to sit at your table. And hear your stories. Thank you Larry King," Oprah Winfrey tweeted.

Powerhouse singer Celine Dion offered her condolences to King's family and remembered him as kind-hearted.

"There will never be anyone like him, and he will be missed by many," she tweeted.

Former US president Bill Clinton said he enjoyed more than 20 interviews with King, who had a "great sense of humour and a genuine interest in people".

"He gave a direct line to the American people and worked hard to get the truth for them, with questions that were direct but fair. Farewell, my friend," Clinton said.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said King was a "Brooklyn boy who became a newsman who interviewed the newsmakers".

"New York sends condolences to his family and many friends," Cuomo said.

TV host and producer Ryan Seacrest said he lost a "dear friend and mentor".

"Truly an American treasure. Rest in peace, Larry King," Seacrest tweeted.

Actor Kirstie Alley said King was "legendary" and "one of the only talk show hosts who let you talk".

British presenter Piers Morgan, who replaced King at CNN, said King had been a hero of his but they had fallen out after the replacement.

"He said my show was like watching your mother-in-law go over a cliff in your new Bentley. (He married 8 times so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer," Morgan tweeted.