ABC News hired the 30-year-old BBC reporter to serve as a foreign correspondent based at ABC’s London bureau.
The correspondent accepted a rumoured multi-million-pound contract as part of the new deal.
ABC News President James Goldston announced to staff: “James has a deep understanding of the Middle East conflict and the complex politics and issues in the region.
“He has interviewed families torn apart by war, former ISIS members and jihadists tied to the UK and Europe.”
A former head boy of £31,000-a-year Worth School in West Sussex, the reporter is fluent in Arabic, French and English, was raised in London and Cairo and wrote a Master’s Degree thesis on Syrian politics.
US magazines have described him as “smoking hot”, while Longman himself has gained a large online after posting topless pictures to his Instagram account.
Longman tweeted: “Some news about me: excited to join @ABC News as foreign correspondent. A huge honour but will miss brilliant BBC and its wonderful people.”
Friends and fans of the reporter, dubbed the “Beirut Beefcake”, took to social media to congratulate him on the move earlier this month.
One tweeted: “Congratulations @JamesAALongman You have a lot to be proud of with your work at BBC. The Depression documentary was outstanding!”
“Wow. Congratulations James. Sorry Beeb couldn’t keep hold of you but fantastic move. All the best x,” posted another.
A third simply wrote: “Oh no we will miss seeing you on our screens.”
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
