Piers Morgan has quit ‘Good Morning Britain’ after Ofcom received more than 41,000 complaints about his comments toward Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Piers Morgan
The 55-year-old outspoken broadcaster has stepped down from his role as co-host of the ITV breakfast programme after he was met with thousands of complaints following comments he made toward Meghan after her interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this week.
In a statement, ITV confirmed: "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."
The news comes after Ofcom revealed on Tuesday (09.03.21) they had received 41,015 complaints about Monday’s episode of the show, prompting them to launch an investigation under their “harm and offence rules”.
They said in a tweet: “We have launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules.
“As of 14:00 on Tuesday 9 March, we have received 41,015 complaints about the programme.”
Piers had previously said he “didn’t believe a word” of Meghan’s interview, in which she said she “didn’t want to be alive” after receiving heavy public scrutiny, and also alleged an unnamed member of the royal family had raised concerns about her son Archie’s skin colour because Meghan is biracial.
He said: "Who did you go to? 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.
“The fact that she's fired up this onslaught against our Royal Family I think is contemptible."
Following his comments on Monday’s episode, his co-star Alex Beresford accused him of "trashing" Meghan – who is married to Prince Harry – during Tuesday’s episode of the show, and their debate became so heated that Piers stormed off of the set.
Speaking about Harry and Meghan's interview, Alex said: "They have had an overwhelming amount of negative press.
"I watched the programme yesterday and yes, they had some great press around the wedding but what press is going to trash someone's special day?
"There was bad press around the engagement, before the engagement, and everything that has followed since has been incredibly damaging, quite clearly to Meghan's mental health and also to Harry.
"I hear Piers say that William has gone through the same thing, but siblings experience tragedy in their life and one will be absolutely fine and brush it off, and the other will not be able to deal with it so strongly and that is clearly what has happened with Prince Harry in this situation.
"He walked behind his mother's coffin at a tender, tender age in front of the globe that is going to shape a young boy for the rest of his life so I think we all need to take a step back."
To Piers, he said: "I understand that you don't like Meghan Markle, you've made it so clear a number of times on this programme.
"I understand you've got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one and she cut you off … she's entitled to cut you off if she wants to.
"Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has, but yet you continue to trash her."
Piers then announced: "OK, I'm done with this."
He then began walking out of the studio, and Alex said: "That's pathetic."
As Piers was departing, he said: "You can trash me mate, but not on my own show.
"Sorry, can't do this."
Alex then said: "Absolutely diabolical behaviour, I'm sorry but Piers spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit here and listen.
"From 6.30 to 7am yesterday, it was incredibly hard to watch.
"He has the ability to come in here and talk from a position that he doesn't fully understand."
Susanna Reid then announced everyone needs to "take a break", and the show cut to adverts.
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