Words by Robyn Cowie
Piers Morgan has left Good Morning Britain following his controversial comments regarding Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
Piers Morgan had been a presenter for ITV’s breakfast show for over six years, however the controversial presenter stormed out of the studio during its live broadcasting on Tuesday 9 March and it was subsequently announced he was not to return, effective immediately.
An ITV spokesperson said: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”
Morgan made comments in response to the interview, which had aired in the United States the night before. There were many different talking points of the interview, but the one which Piers Morgan caused the most uproar in response to was when he claimed to not believe that Meghan Markle had struggled with suicidal thoughts whilst being a working royal.
“”Who did you go to?” he said. “What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report”. Many were quick to criticise these comments and described it as ironic that Piers Morgan was making these comments on International Women’s Day.
It led to people taking to social media to highlight the daming nature of these comments in regards to the topics of mental health and suicide since ITV is partnered with the charity Mind, andits Britain Get Talking Campaign, who stated they were “disappointed” by the presenter’s comments.
A total of 41,015 complaints were made to media watchdog Ofcom by 14:00 GMT on Tuesday, which is the second highest in Ofcom history. A spokesperson for the regulator said “we have launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules”.
On Wednesday’s edition of GMB, Sussanna Reid, the long term co-host of Piers Morgan, addressed his departure and described him as an “outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster”. She later went on to say “It is certainly going to be very different but shows go on and so on we go”. It is yet to be confirmed who shall replace Piers Morgan on the programme.
Picture Credit: Pete Riches
