By Gabriel Princewill-
Piers Morgan is “irreplaceable” and ITV has its work cut out to keep hold of viewers, says the TV network’s own chief.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television, has admitted there isn’t a single person in the showbiz world who can replace the outspoken presenter.
Mr Morgan parted ways from Good Morning Britain last month hours after he stormed off set in the middle of a live show over his outrageous summary dismissal of Meghan Markle’s disturbing testimony of racism and mental health issues claimed to have endured in the royal household.
The once Daily Mirror editor exhibited emotional weakness by failing to reacted to effectively engage weatherman Alex Beresford over an unrestrained rant he launched against Meghan Markle live on air, the day after the Oprah interview aired on CBS in the U.S, and ITV in the UK.
Morgan public dismissal of the entirety of her complaints to television icon Oprah Winfrey, including Meghan Markle’s claim of mental health issues, was at best reckless. An apology was the most prudent outcome in those circumstances, but his pride stood in the way.
He claimed freedom of expression as his defence, forgetting, or not being aware that the right to free speech cannot trump the duty to protect the legitimate reputation of others, and any other relevant rights to free speech.
Had Morgan focused his criticism on some other queries he has, like Meghan’s relationship with her father, and the unclarified confusion as to why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle believed their son Archie was denied a title of a prince was because of race, when there were other explanations for their son to be prohibited from becoming a prince.
Pursuing such inquiries would have constituted a healthy process and potential debate, but not dismissing everything just because he felt she treated him badly by ghosting him.
The outspoken presenter later expressed some empathy towards any experience of mental health issues, especially if she was refused help following her pleas for attention.
But in his usual bullish style, he resumed an attack against the Duchess of Sussex,, describing her as ”a social climbing wrecking ball”. He demanded to know why Prince Harry, who is associated with several mental health charities, couldn’t seek help for her, and challenged her to name the person who made the comments in relation to how dark their unborn child would be. Doing so would not have been wise, when the palace have the leverage tp categorically deny the allegations.
However, Morgan, an unarguably intelligent smooth talker, failed to consider the possibility the Duke of Sussex may have been hampered by royal protocols in divulging internal information to external parties.
Morgan was an engaging interrogator of his guests, notwithstanding some of the notoriety it fetched him. In many cases he outsmarted those under his scrutiny, shutting them down dogmatically when they made no valid points to address his questions.
Other times, he was accused of not allowing guests with legitimate points land, before he intervened.
Itv has begun rotating fan favourite presenters including Ben Shephard, Susanna Reid, Charlotte Hawkins and Kate Garraway in a bid to keep fans at home happy.
“We have a roster of presenters, including Ben Shephard, Susanna Reid, Charlotte Hawkins, and Kate Garraway.
“They’re all stepping up and doing a few more days than they would have done. We’ll mix and match until we feel what the right thing is to do. There isn’t a single person who can replace him.”
Itv boss is not wrong in his conclusion that Morgan is one of a kind, with some distinguished attributes. Lacking seriously was the ideal level of mentoring at the level he was operating.
In the end, his departure showed that nobody is truly indispensable, and all citizens of a country are subject to the same law and standards of conduct.