Piers Morgan quits as host of RTS Programme Awards after campaign to oust him went viral
The TV presenter withdrew from the role after he received backlash online about being chosen
PIERS Morgan has announced that he's pulling out of presenting duties for the Royal Television Society's Programme Awards - after an online campaign to get him removed went viral.
t revealed in a statement posted online that he felt that he would only serve as a 'distraction' to the winners of the evening, after becoming a divisive figure thanks to his outspoken opinions.
Organisers of the event chose Piers after deciding his opinionated reputation and experience in television made him the perfect candidate - but others were quick to disagree.
Theresa White, RTS CEO, said at the time of the announcement: "Morgan’s reputation for being opinionated and his wealth of experience working within the industry make him the perfect host and we look forward to a lively event."
However, the RTS Media twitter page was soon inundated with fans online who took exception to the choice - with one person suggesting that he should be "binned off for the Chuckle brothers."
After Piers became aware of a Change.org petition requesting his removal from the job, Piers decided to withdraw from the role completely.
, he wrote: "It suggested that I lack the ‘creative excellence’ criteria required for presenting such an event and therefore my presence would be ‘damaging’ and ‘inappropriate.’ Further, I have ‘failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice.’
"Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice. I have no wish to serve as an unnecessary distraction from award winners whose hard work and skill should be celebrated without any of the silly noise this campaign has generated."
Piers' Full Statement
"I was recently invited to host the Royal Television Society Programme Awards. As someone who has worked in British and American television for most of this Millennium, on a variety of shows, I thought it might be fun and agreed to do it without any fee.
After my role was announced, a campaign was started to have me banned.
It suggested that I lack the ‘creative excellence’ criteria required for presenting such an event and therefore my presence would be ‘damaging’ and ‘inappropriate.’ Further, I have ‘failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice.’
Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice. I have no wish to serve as an unnecessary distraction from award winners whose hard work and skill should be celebrated without any of the silly noise this campaign has generated.
So, I am now withdrawing from hosting the evening. Good luck to everyone who has been nominated."
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Piers has been courting controversy thanks to his outspoken views on feminism and his close relationship with President Donald Trump.
This recently culminated in a Twitter spat with Harry Potter writing JK Rowling.
The pair became embroiled in a furious row online after Morgan was sworn at by Australian comedian Jim Jefferies during an appearance on US current affairs show Real Time with Bill Maher.
When JK came out in support of the move by Jim, Piers hit back and replied: "This is why I never read Harry Potter.
He's not been afraid to slam celebrities for their outspoken political views, and even condemned those who use the SAG Awards to "become Martin Luther Kings" over troubles in the US.
He said on Good Morning Britain: “It’s an awards ceremony, it’s not a chance for you to be the new Martin Luther King.
“At what point do these ceremonies change from a being celebrations of movies?
“It’s all building up for the Oscars to be not be an event about movies but for the stars to compete about who can scream the loudest about Trump.”
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