PIERS Morgan sensationally quit Good Morning Britain after Meghan Markle complained to ITV to raise concerns his words might affect those struggling with mental health. The 55-year-old stepped down from GMB last night after senior execs wanted him to say sorry on air following contact from the Duchess. But Piers refused – and quit instead following his heated clash […]
PIERS Morgan sensationally quit Good Morning Britain after Meghan Markle complained to ITV to raise concerns his words might affect those struggling with mental health.
The 55-year-old stepped down from GMB last night after senior execs wanted him to say sorry on air following contact from the Duchess.
Follow our Piers Morgan live blog for the latest on his GMB exit…
But Piers refused – and quit instead following his heated clash with the show’s weatherman Alex Beresford.
Meghan raised concerns with ITV’s CEO after Piers said he didn’t believe she had suffered suicidal thoughts. The Duchess is said to have been worried it would affect others struggling with similar issues.
The presenter, 55, made a series of dismissive comments about Meghan’s claims she was “suicidal” and suffered issues with her mental health while a royal.
The 39-year-old Duchess told Oprah Winfrey she felt like she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” in her bombshell interview on Sunday.
But on Monday’s Good Morning Britain, Morgan said he “didn’t believe a word” of it.
He then rowed with Alex and stormed off the set – before handing in his notice to bosses hours later.
And it’s now emerged he was ordered to apologise after bosses were contacted by the Duchess, but refused.
It’s understood Meghan’s complaint wasn’t made over Piers’ dismissal of racism allegations, or her claims that she wasn’t supported by the Royal Family.
ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship said: “The Duchess of Sussex formally filed a complaint to ITV on Monday.
“It’s thought to have been sent to the broadcaster’s CEO.
“Meghan raised concerns about how Piers Morgan’s words affect the issue of mental health and what it might do to others contemplating suicide.”
Despite that, this morning, Piers doubled down on his decision to walk – tweeting: “Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on.”
And chatting to press outside his home this morning, he called the Duchess “contemptible”, adding he and ITV will “agree to disagree”.
It comes as:
ITV chiefs haven’t yet confirmed they were contacted by the royal.
A spokesperson told the Telegraph: “ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”
Piers brought an immediate end to his six-year stint on the show last night when he decided to walk rather than apologise to Meghan.
ITV bought the rights to the Oprah interview for a rumoured £1million and its news anchor Tom Bradby also secured an interview with the couple during their Africa tour in October 2019.
Piers defended his comments again today by sharing a Winston Churchill quote alongside the tweet: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview.
“I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t.
“If you did, ok.
“Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on.
“Thanks for all the love, and hate.
“I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.”
The Churchill quote reads: “Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they are like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.”
And he told the media waiting outside his home: “I believe in freedom of speech, I believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. If people want to believe Meghan Markle, that’s entirely their right.
“I don’t believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and I think the damage she’s done to the British monarchy and to the Queen at a time when Prince Philip is lying in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible.
“If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it.”
ITV’s chief executive had earlier confirmed the row between Piers and Alex wasn’t “manufactured” – and said the broadcaster’s managing director of media and entertainment had spoken to Piers about his coverage of the interview.
Insisting GMB was a “balanced show”, she added: “ITV has many voices and we try and represent many voices every day. It’s not about one opinion.”
Susanna Reid, 50, paid tribute to her “outspoken, opinionated, and disruptive” former co-star on the show this morning.
Susanna looked emotional when she first arrived in the studio, and admitted that though she often disagreed with Piers, he will be missed.
She told fans: “A number of viewers will of course know the news and many of you will not, and be surprised that Piers isn’t here this morning.
“Piers was an outspoken, opinionated, and disruptive broadcaster. You will know I disagreed with him about Meghan’s interview.
“He himself clarified his comments on the show yesterday about her mental health.
“There are many voices on Good Morning Britain and everyone has their say, he had his and Piers has now decided to leave the programme.”
She was seen in tears yesterday after a series of heated meetings at ITV’s studios in Television Centre, West London.
An ITV source said: “Piers was not going to back down.
“He was asked to make an apology but refused. He says he is entitled to his opinion and is always going to stand by it.
“When he refused to apologise, there was a stand-off. And ultimately it ended with him telling producers he would not host the show anymore.
“His contract was coming to an end this year anyway, but he said he wouldn’t do the job unless it was on his terms.
“The growing pressure from building Ofcom complaints and a swell of anger on social media gave bosses no choice but to try and get him to apologise.
“Unfortunately there were also a lot of concerns raised with the GMB production team too.
“Charity Mind also expressed their concerns to senior execs at ITV saying it clashes with their campaign.”
