Piers Morgan backed by Megyn Kelly & Jake Tapper after leaving GMB over Meghan Markle drama – as others celebrate
PIERS Morgan has been backed by Megyn Kelly and Jake Tapper after leaving Good Morning Britain over Meghan Markle drama.
Morgan, 55, resigned after senior execs said they wanted him to say sorry on air following his heated clash with the show’s weatherman Alex Beresford, 40, over Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Follow our Piers Morgan live blog for the latest on his GMB exit…
Piers stormed off set during the huge row with his GMB co-star on Tuesday morning after Alex criticized for his reaction to Meghan’s claims she contemplated suicide and was racially abused by the royal family.
But Piers said he was not willing to apologize, and walked — bringing an immediate end to his six-year stint on the morning show.
Piers had previously said he “didn’t believe a word” of Meghan’s interview, in which she said she “didn’t want to be alive” after receiving heavy public scrutiny.
She also alleged an unnamed member of the royal family had raised concerns about her son Archie’s skin color because Meghan is biracial.
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom revealed on Tuesday they had received 41,015 complaints about Monday’s episode of the show, prompting them to launch an investigation under their “harm and offence rules.”
CNN’s Jake Tapper described the investigation as “insanity,” appearing to back Morgan in a tweet on Tuesday.
“This is what happens when you live in a country where there is no First amendment. Insanity,” he wrote, linking to a Variety article about the investigation.
When the anchor started receiving backlash, he wrote a follow up tweet saying “ok British friends, we disagree” before thanking them for their replies, and the BBC.
Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly also defended the host: “I don’t know what happened w/ @piersmorgan at GMB.
“What I do know is he & Susannah have been a brilliant team that took risks & became must-watch TV,” she wrote.
‘”In an era of free speech being stifled everywhere, Piers fearlessly speaks his mind. We need more, not fewer like that in media.”
American icon Sharon Osbourne also rushed to social media to support the British journalist.
She tweeted: “@piersmorgan I am with you. I stand by you. People forget that you’re paid for your opinion and that you’re just speaking your truth.”
However, some were not so positive in their reaction to the news, including The View’s Sunny Hostin.
Hostin suggested that Morgan’s “obsession” with Markle might be “based on his own fragility” during Tuesday’s episode.
“Isn’t it interesting that Piers Morgan can walk away from a slightly uncomfortable situation, but Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan cannot walk away from more than a slightly uncomfortable situation that put her mental health and her life at risk?” she asked.
Markle’s former Suits co-star, Patrick J Adams, also showed his support for the Duchess.
He wrote: “Cry not for @piersmorgan – there are plenty of bridges for him to find work under. Sincerely, the ‘jumped up twerp’.”
In a statement, ITV confirmed last night: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.
“ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”
An ITV source told The Sun: “Piers was not going to back down. He was asked to make an apology but refused. He says he is entitled to his opinion and is always going to stand by it.
“When he refused to apologise, there was a stand-off. And ultimately it ended with him telling producers he would not host the show anymore.
“His contract was coming to an end this year anyway, but he said he wouldn’t do the job unless it was on his terms.
“The growing pressure from building Ofcom complaints and a swell of anger on social media gave bosses no choice but to try and get him to apologise.
“Unfortunately there were also a lot of concerns raised with the GMB production team too.
“Charity Mind also expressed their concerns to senior execs at ITV saying it clashes with their campaign.”
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The source added: “It’s been a very difficult 24 hours for Susanna too. She’s exceptionally close to Piers, but is now left holding the baby.
“She also doesn’t want to look like in staying silent she just condones his behaviour as she often disagrees with him, but respects his right to have an opinion.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.