Host Piers Morgan leaves UK TV show after controversial comments on Meghan Markle interview
Grover C. Magnus
3 min read
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British TV host Piers Morgan left the “Good Morning Britain” program on Tuesday after making controversial comments about Meghan following her explosive interview with the Royal Family.
The UK’s media watchdog said earlier on Tuesday it was launching an investigation into the show under its damage and infringement rules after receiving more than 41,000 complaints about the comments of Morgan on the Duchess of Sussex.
Morgan’s departure was announced shortly after Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying the allegations of racism made by Prince Harry and Meghan during an interview with Oprah Winfrey were “concerning”.
In the interview, which aired in the US on Sunday night and then in the UK on Monday night, Meghan explained that she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” as she struggled to integrate into the monarchy . She also alleged that she had faced racist attitudes from Buckingham Palace and the UK media, and that her requests for help with her mental health were turned down.
Morgan, 55, said on Monday on “Good Morning Britain” during a discussion of Meghan’s revelations that “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word of what she’s saying.
“I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report,” he said, adding that the Duchess had launched an “attack” on the royal family.
It drew criticism from many, including mental health charity Mind, which expressed disappointment and concern over Morgan’s comments about not believing Meghan’s experiences with suicidal thoughts.
“It is essential that when people seek help or share their experiences of poor mental health, they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy,” the association said.
In Tuesday’s episode, Morgan addressed his own comments the day before, stressing that he believed mental illness and suicide were topics that should be “taken very seriously.” But he maintained he had “serious concerns about the veracity of much of what (Meghan) has said”.
He then left the show’s set as weather presenter Alex Beresford criticized his attitude towards Meghan. As Morgan walked away he said “I’m done.”
ITV, which produces “Good Morning Britain,” said Tuesday: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided it is now time to leave“ Good Morning Britain. ”ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing to do with it. more to add.
Morgan was a former judge on “America’s Got Talent,” and in 2011 he replaced Larry King’s prime-time CNN slot with his own talk show, which was canceled in 2014 after bad ratings. A former tabloid editor, he joined “Good Morning Britain” in 2015.
