Piers Morgan stands by Meghan Markle criticism after 'GMB' exit, says 'will die on freedom of speech hill'
Piers Morgan appears to have no regrets after abruptly leaving 'Good Morning Britain' for good. The British journalist and TV personality decided to part ways with the morning news talk show after his own co-host Alex Beresford lashed out at him for not believing Meghan Markle's bombshell claims.
The 55-year-old former GMB host spoke out for the first time hours after stepping away from the show.
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"Thinking of my late, great manager John Ferriter tonight. He'd have told me to do exactly the same thing. @GMB #TrustYourGut," he wrote on Twitter alongside an old photo of them together.
Thinking of my late, great manager John Ferriter tonight. He’d have told me to do exactly the same thing. @GMB #TrustYourGut pic.twitter.com/QxPngw9Rgu
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 9, 2021
Morgan later posted another tweet about "freedom of speech" as he doubled down on his stance. "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. If you did, OK. 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," he wrote.
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. If you did, OK. 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. pic.twitter.com/bv6zpz4Roe
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 10, 2021
Morgan's exit came after he received backlash for denigrating Markle in defense of the Royal Family following her recent tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. He questioned the legitimacy of the Duchess of Sussex when she began discussing her mental health issues.
"I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle," he said on Monday's 'Good Morning Britain' as the interview was airing. "I wouldn't believe it if she read me a weather report and that fact that she fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible."
Morgan's comments sparked an investigation by UK media regulator Ofcom after more than 41,000 people wrote in to complain, according to Variety. His co-host Beresford insulted him on-air the following day. "I understand that you've got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle or had one and she cut you off. She's entitled to cut you off if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has, but yet you continue to trash her," Beresford said.
"Okay, I'm done with this, sorry, no, sorry ... see you later, sorry, can't do this," Morgan declared as he walked off-set. ITV would later confirm the longtime GMB fixture had exited for good.
"Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain," ITV said in a statement. "ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."
Piers Morgan became a full-time host on 'Good Morning Britain' in November 2015, after guest-hosting the show several times. At the time of writing, it was unclear who will be replacing him on March 10 besides co-host Susanna Reid. Chances are that Morgan might still continue hosting the show as long as his contract mandates, states Express. However, given the unprecedented circumstances of Tuesday morning's show, Morgan might also be prevented temporarily from rejoining the cast.
ITV has not made any official comments about Morgan's immediate replacement.