Image copyright AFP Image caption Rabi Lamichhane (right) interviewed journalists, politicians and celebrities during the 62-hour broadcast

A Nepali television presenter has set a new world record by hosting the longest-ever talk show.

Rabi Lamichhane, a Nepali who normally lives in the United States, stayed on air for more than 62 hours.

He interviewed politicians, journalists and celebrities on the theme "Buddha was born in Nepal", and took phone calls from viewers.

The previous record was set by two Ukrainian presenters who stayed on air for 52 hours in 2011.

Mr Lamichhane said he had arranged the record attempt to help promote Nepal globally.

Guinness World Record rules allowed him five minutes break every hour during the broadcast.

He ate on air, and even began growing a beard over the two-and-a-half-day programme.

Although formerly a radio and television journalist in Nepal, Mr Lamichhane is now resident in Baltimore in the United States, where he is the manager of a branch of the sandwich shop Subway.