British television personality Piers Morgan is leaving “Good Morning Britain” after comments he made about Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, ITV announced Tuesday. Morgan has been a constant critic of the pair, attracting backlash from viewers and an investigation by a media watchdog.
“After discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” the broadcaster said in a statement. “ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing more to add.”
Prince Harry and Meghan shocked millions in an interview with Oprah on Sunday, revealing that relentless pressure from British tabloids and the royal family prompted Meghan to consider suicide. She also said there were discussions about ‘how dark’ their baby’s skin tone would be. The royal family called the charges “concerning, ‘but said the problems would be handled privately by the family.
Morgan appeared on “Good Morning Britain” on Monday, however, calling Meghan’s comments false. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says,” he said. “I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.”
Viewers as well as Morgan’s own co-hosts condemned his actions. While Morgan elaborated on his comments the next morning, saying he believes suicide and mental health are important issues that should be addressed by professionals, he later stormed out of the studio after fellow presenter Alex Beresford called his treatment of Meghan “ devilish. ”
“I understand you don’t like Meghan Markle,” Beresford said. “You’ve made that clearer a few times in this program. Several times. And I understand that you have a personal relationship with Meghan Markle or have had one and she cut you off. She has the right to shut you down. “If she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she did, but you keep screwing her up anyway.”
Morgan then walked out of the show.
Later Tuesday, Morgan tweeted about his departure from the show. “Thinking about my late, wonderful manager John Ferriter tonight,” he wrote“He would have told me to do the exact same thing. @GMB #TrustYourGut”
On Tuesday, the UK’s Office of Communications announced it would happen to investigate Morgan’s comments under the “harm and insult rules” after receiving more than 40,000 official complaints about his comments.