Piers Morgan has spoken out for first time since his exit from Good Morning Britain after sparking fury over his Meghan Markle comments.
He took to Instagram to share a picture of him with his late manager John Ferriter, writing: "Thinking of my late great manager John Ferriter tonight. He’d have told me to do the same thing."
The GMB host has left the show with immediate effect, with ITV confirming the news with a statement saying: “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.”
Piers was hit with backlash after he questioned the truth over Meghan's claims during her interview with Oprah specifically concerning whether she was denied help when suffering from "thoughts of suicide".
Piers said: “OK, OK, let’s have the names. Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says.”
“Well that’s a pretty unsympathetic reaction to someone who has expressed those thoughts," replied Susanna Reid.
Piers spoke over her to continue: “I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report, and the fact that she’s fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible."
An investigation was launched into the comments after Ofcom reported more than 41,000 complaints
ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall also said she "completely believed what [the duchess] says", adding that ITV is "totally committed to" mental health.
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Mental health charity Mind, which is partnered with ITV for the Britain Get Talking campaign, said it was "disappointed" by the comment Piers made in Monday's show.
The backlash meant that the Piers was forced to reconsider his comments on Tuesday's programmes saying: “When we talked about this yesterday, I said as an all-encompassing thing I don’t believe what Meghan Markle is saying generally in this interview, and I still have serious concerns about the veracity of a lot of what she said.
“But let me just state on the record my position about mental illness and on suicide. These are clearly extremely serious things that should be taken extremely seriously, and if someone is feeling that way they should get the treatment and help they need every time.”
Piers made the comments during the show on Monday prompting an on-air clash with weather presenter Alex Beresford the following morning which ended with Piers walking off set.
Alex said: “I understand that you don’t like Meghan Markle. You’ve made it so clear a number of times on this programme, and I understand that you had a personal relationship with Meghan Markle and she cut you off.
"Has she said anything about you after she cut you off? She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to. And yet you continue to trash her.”
Piers then stood and walked off the set saying: “OK, I’m done with this”, before returning ten minutes later.
GMB continues tomorrow at 6am on ITV.
- Good Morning Britain
- Meghan Markle
- Piers Morgan
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