Above criticism

[Gob]

Piers Morgan has said he stands by his criticism of the Duchess of Sussex as ITV's Good Morning Britain airs for the first time since his departure.



It was announced on Tuesday that Morgan had left the show after saying he "didn't believe a word" Meghan said in her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Addressing his exit, co-host Susanna Reid said she had disagreed with his comments, and added: "Shows go on."

Ofcom is investigating his comments after receiving 41,000 complaints.

Ranvir Singh, who was sitting in Morgan's chair on Wednesday, said: "We don't call him Marmite for nothing." It is not yet known who will be his permanent replacement on GMB.

In a tweet as the programme was beginning, Morgan said: "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."

He added: "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."

His message was accompanied by a photo of Winston Churchill with a quote about free speech.

On Tuesday, before leaving the show, Morgan stormed off set after a discussion with his colleague Alex Beresford over the duchess.

Speaking outside his London home on Wednesday, the presenter described his departure as "amicable", adding: "I had a good chat with ITV and we agreed to disagree."

He explained: "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."

He also said: "I think it's fair to say, although the woke crowd will think that they've cancelled me, I think they will be rather disappointed when I re-emerge."

He described his forthcoming absence from screens as "a temporary hibernation", adding that he was "always in talks with people" about work.

ITV said the final episode of his Life Stories series, featuring Coleen Nolan, is still scheduled to be broadcast next week as planned.

What has the other reaction been?
Morgan continued to split opinion on social media following his departure.

While many expressed their own love or hatred of Morgan, others pointed out the huge impact he had on Good Morning Britain's viewing figures, and praised him for ferociously holding ministers to account during the coronavirus pandemic

Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said: "For all you think he gets wrong, few will be more pleased to see Piers Morgan go than [government] ministers who won't face him anymore."

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan said "morning TV feels like it's lost it's energy", adding: "He will be back I am sure and so he should be."

Ex-Fox News and NBC News presenter Megyn Kelly wrote on Twitter: "In an era of free speech being stifled everywhere, Piers fearlessly speaks his mind. We need more, not fewer like that in media." She followed up with a message to him: "We love you!"

Businessman Simon Jordan wrote that Morgan "embodies hypocrisy, double standards and is a flat track bully". He continued: "But... Also at times,was a brave forthright broadcaster. On #MeghanAndHarry, he gave an alternate view... not allowed."

Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo said: "His departure is a triumph for feminists everywhere."

The Mail on Sunday's showbiz editor Katie Hind said Morgan's departure would have "terrible ramifications for viewing figures" of the ITV show, adding: "Many, many watch for him."

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[ex-khobar Andy]

Maybe CNN will give him another go as Larry King's replacement. I don't weep for Morgan as he is obviously worth a few bucks and will still eat tonight. And if anyone knows about the distinction between truth and falsehood in the press it's him. He had a part in the phone hacking scandal and his paper published false pictures allegedly showing British troops abusing prisoners in Iraq. He was censured by the Press Complaints Commission for buying shares in a company just before his paper ran a financial advice piece advocating the company, knowing that the article would cause the price to go up. In short he's a turd who will do anything to further his career and make himself a £ or two.

That does not mean that he is never right.

[Scooter]

He got into a snit and acted completely unprofessionally by leaving the set in the middle of a broadcast. What does that have to do with freedom of speech?

[Big RR]

Even if he didn't leave the broadcast, he is employed by ITN to report the news (at least I presume he is), not advance his opinions regarding it; while he can say whatever he wants (and hold whatever opinions he wants) he can not advance his opinions in a way that might make the viewer think they are those of his employer, and they are justified in firing him. I don't see a free speech problem at all.

[Sue U]

He explained: "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."

What a smug self-regarding drama queen. It's not like he hasn't been fired before for being an ass. This has nothing to do with "stifling free speech," it has to do with the public appetite for more Piers Morgan, which is once again "thanks, but we've had quite enough of that."

[Big RR]

I still recall Jim referring to him on more than one occasion as Piers Moron. Things never change.

[Gob]

Private Eye call him Piers "Morgan" Moron.