PIERS FURY
Piers Morgan’s Meghan Markle rant receives most Ofcom complaints in a decade as GMB host quits
PIERS Morgan's rant about Meghan Markle's Oprah interview has received the most Ofcom complaints in a decade.
More than 41,000 viewers complained to the media watchdog following his remarks on yesterday's episode of Good Morning Britain - and the TV host has now quit.
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The presenter made dismissive comments about Meghan's claims to have had issues with her mental health during the show.
He even claimed he didn't believe she was left feeling suicidal.
And as of 2pm today, Ofcom had received 41,015 complaints, sparking an investigation.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We have launched an investigation into Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules."
Less than an hour later, ITV announced Piers Morgan won't be returning to the show.
ITV said in a statement: "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 only other programme to have received more complaints than Piers' Meghan rant was the Celebrity Big Brother racism row involving Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty in 2007, which attracted 44,500.
It is also almost double the number received in response to Diversity's Black Lives Matter performance on Britain's Got Talent in October last year.
The dance routine - which saw a police officer kneeling on Ashley Banjo - received 24,500 complaints, making it the most complained about show in 2020.
Morgan's comments on Monday were criticised by mental health charity Mind.
The organisation previously said in a tweet it was "disappointed and concerned" by Morgan's comments.
It added: "It's vital that, when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health, they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy."
Earlier today a petition to sack Piers Morgan from GMB over his comments about Meghan had amassed more than 88,000 signatures.
The 55-year-old presenter sparked outrage after continuing to slam the former actress.
A series of petitions, which had previously been created calling for Piers to be axed, once again gathered traction on change.org.
The biggest one is not far off its 150k target, while another called for an Ofcom investigation.
It states: “Ofcom needs to investigate Piers Morgan for bullying and racism towards Meghan Markle and countless other subjects on GMB, and they need to also investigate ITV for supporting his disgusting behaviour.”
Piers said earlier he was unconcerned by the public’s calls and pointed out that he hadn’t been sacked yet.
He tweeted: “Lots of people on here want me fired for expressing my opinion on the Pinocchio Princess.
“If you want to join them, there are various petitions still doing the rounds from the last few times you've all tried, and failed, to have me fired for saying what I think.”
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ITV boss Carolyn McCall addressed the backlash earlier today but refused to deny he would lose his job.
The CEO, who revealed she had very opposing views, said: "We are dealing with that as we speak."
When pushed on if he would be sacked, she said: "I’m not making any comments on this."
She also revealed that Piers has been spoken to by ITV programmer Kevin Lygo.
Speaking on GMB over the last two days, Piers has questioned Meghan following her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In the interview, Meghan told how life as a royal became unbearable and she "didn't want to be alive anymore".
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The Duchess of Sussex, 39, said she begged for help but was told she would not be able to seek help as it "wouldn't be good for the institution".
Breaking down in tears during the interview ,which aired on CBS on Sunday night and ITV the following evening, Meghan said: "I just didn't see a solution.
"I didn't want to be alive anymore."
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
But Piers had no sympathy for the pregnant Royal and ranted on the ITV breakfast show: "Who did you go to? What did they say to you?
"I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe a weather report if she read it.
"The fact she has expressed an onslaught against our Royal Family is contemptible."
Piers Morgan storms off GMB set after Alex Beresford blasts him over Meghan Markle interview
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Today Piers stormed out of the GMB studio after his colleague Alex Beresford's monologue criticising him for continually attacking Meghan.
Alex said he found it "hard to watch" a half hour segment of yesterday's show in which Piers savaged the interview.
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Piers didn't like what his co-star had to say, refusing to listen before snapping "I'm not having this" and heading to the studio exit.
He was off-screen for almost 20 minutes, but later returned, slamming Alex for "launching a personal derogatory attack" on someone that he works with.
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