Piers Morgan has quit "Good Morning Britain" over his comments about Meghan Markle.- On Tuesday morning, he walked off the set of the show after a contentious argument with a cohost.
- "Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave," ITV said.
Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, TV host Piers Morgan has been embroiled in a series of controversies that culminated in his departure from "Good Morning Britain" on Tuesday afternoon.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview aired in the US on Sunday night. By Monday, Morgan's comments about Markle's discussion of suicidal thoughts were being widely criticized.
While commenting on a clip of the Winfrey interview where Markle said she'd had suicidal thoughts and had approached senior members of the royal institution for help but was denied, Morgan said: "Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I'm sorry, I don't believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe it if she read me a weather report."
Then, on Tuesday morning, Morgan walked off the "Good Morning Britain" set after his colleague Alex Beresford condemned Morgan's continued attacks on Markle. The UK broadcasting company Ofcom announced an investigation into Morgan, saying it had received more than 41,000 complaints over his statements.
Within hours, ITV announced that Morgan was leaving the show 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."
Morgan had been a cohost of "Good Morning Britain" since 2015.
Minutes before the news of his departure from the show broke, Morgan tweeted a GIF of a clock.
-Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 9, 2021
Earlier Tuesday morning, he responded to several people on Twitter who were discussing his recent actions as well as past behavior.
-Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 9, 2021
-Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 9, 2021
-Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 9, 2021
Morgan's time on "Good Morning Britain" and career as a commentator in the prior years were marked with various controversies, including others tied to mental health.
In 2019, "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner called out Morgan for criticizing celebrities who discuss their mental-health struggles. The TV host had retweeted an article where an actor said she was concerned celebrities were trying to make mental health "fashionable."
In response, Turner said: "Or maybe they have a platform to speak out about it and help get rid of the stigma of mental illness which affects one in 4 people in the UK per year."
In their interview with Winfrey, both Prince Harry and Markle described the intense pressure and mental-health strain that was caused by the UK's negative press coverage of their lives and the lack of support they felt from within the palace institution.
You can learn more about the major bombshells revealed during their interview here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.