Good morning Great Britain Presenter Piers Morgan left the UK morning show set in the middle of the episode on Tuesday after one of his colleagues blamed him for the recent criticism of Meghan Markle.
First, some context: during Markle and Prince Harry’s well-attended interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday night, Markle spoke openly about her negative experiences with both the royal family and the British press. In a particularly worrying segment, she revealed that intense public scrutiny around her led to suicidal thoughts, for which she was unable to get any help at the time.
On Mondays Good morning Great Britain broadcast, Morgan was angry at the interview, which he called “a two-hour trash-a-thon of our royal family, of the monarchy, of everything the Queen has worked so hard for.”
Later in that episode, after the show aired a clip of Markle admitting suicidal thoughts, Morgan said, “I don’t believe a word of what she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report. (Her co-host Susanna Reid replied, “This is a very pathetic reaction for someone who has expressed these thoughts”, while British charity Mind condemned Morgan’s statement on Twitter.)
During Tuesday’s episode of the ITV series, meteorologist Alex Beresford scolded Morgan for his previous comments – later labeling them “absolutely diabolical behavior” – which led to Morgan leaving the set.
“I understand that you don’t like Meghan Markle. You have made this very clear several times in this program, ”said Beresford. “And I understand that you have a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one, and she cut you off. She has the right to interrupt you, if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she interrupted you? I don’t think it does, but you continue to destroy it. “
At that point, Morgan replied, “OK, I’m done with this” and left the stage, which Beresford replied was a “pathetic” response. But Morgan later returned to the program and, although he maintained that he does not believe “what Meghan Markle usually says in this interview”, he reaffirmed his position on mental health and suicide.
“These are clearly very serious things and should be taken very seriously, and if someone is feeling that way, they should receive the treatment and help they need every time,” he continued. “And if they belong to an institution like the royal family, they must seek this help and receive it. It is not for me to question whether she felt suicidal. I am not in her mind and that is for her to say. “
Observe Morgan’s departure from the set below:
Piers Morgan just left the Good Morning Britain set (!!!) after co-host Alex Beresford defended Harry and Meghan and condemned Piers’ treatment on yesterday’s schedule pic.twitter.com/mH75J8ND4O
– Chris Rickett (@chrisrickett) March 9, 2021