By James Simons-
Piers Morgan’s on-air comments about the Duchess of Sussex on ITV’s Good Morning Britain has become Ofcom’s most complained about moment in TV history.
The broadcasting watchdog last night released figures showing more than 57,000 people, including the Duchess of Sussex herself, lodged a complaint following Morgan’s comments about Meghan and her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The number of complaints against the axed television host is at 57,121, surpassing the previously most-protested moment in TV history when 44,500 complaints were made regarding Jade Goodey and Danielle Lloyd’s treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Big Brother in 2007.
In response to Meghan’s headline-making interview, Morgan said on-air: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me the weather report.
“The fact that she’s fired up this onslaught against our Royal family I think is contemptible.”
The TV presenter stood down after six years on Good Morning Britain following his remarks that he did not believe the duchess’s account to Oprah, which included comments Meghan made about her mental health and having suicidal thoughts.
Morgan, stormed off set following an on-air row about his coverage of the interview with GMB weatherman Alex Beresford, who criticised Morgan for “continuing to trash” the duchess because she had ghosted him after he put her in a cab to a party where she eventually met Prince Harry.
Instead of engaging Beresford in a civil debate and make his point, Morgan gave in to the emotional pressure of being put on the spot about his true motivation for rubbishing the account of a woman who had cited mental health issues as a problem she suffered at the palace.
Grudge
Morgan harboured a grudge ever since he was sidelined by Meghan Markle, attacking her at every opportunity.
When it mattered most for Meghan to show true professionalism, he recklessly disregarded Meghan Markle’s account, telling a national audience that he did not believe a word she said.
Accusing her of trashing the royal family, Morgan whipped up negative sentiments, puncturing a big whole in what had been a distressing and emotional interview for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Morgan hit back at the news tweeting, “Only 57,000? I’ve had more people than that come up and congratulate me in the street for what I said.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We can confirm that this issue has attracted the highest number of complaints since our reporting began.”
Most complaints are disgusted at the way Morgan
The spokesperson added that the investigation into the issue is ongoing.
In response to Meghan’s headline-making interview, Morgan said on-air: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me the weather report.
“The fact that she’s fired up this onslaught against our Royal family I think is contemptible.”
The TV presenter stood down after six years on Good Morning Britain following his remarks that he did not believe the duchess’s account to Oprah, which included comments Meghan made about her mental health and having suicidal thoughts.
Morgan, well-known for being outspoken, had stormed off set following an on-air row about his coverage of the interview with GMB weatherman Alex Beresford, who criticised Morgan for “continuing to trash” the duchess because she had ghosted him after he put her in a cab to a party where she eventually met Prince Harry.
Morgan harboured a grudge ever since he was sidelined by Meghan Markle, attacking her at every opportunity.
When it mattered most for Meghan to show true professionalism, he recklessly disregarded Meghan Markle’s account, telling a national audience that he did not believe a word she said.
Accusing her of trashing the royal family, Morgan whipped up negative sentiments, puncturing a big whole in what had been a distressing and emotional interview.
Mental Health Commitment
ITV’s chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall publicly rejected Morgan’s on-air claims and said she “completely believed what [the duchess] says”, adding that ITV is “totally committed to” mental health.
Mental health charity Mind, which is a partner with ITV on its Britain Get Talking campaign, also criticised Morgan, saying it was “disappointed” by the presenter’s comments.
Petitions calling for Morgan to be reinstated on the show reached close to 200,000 signatures.
Rating Hits
Good Morning Britain is believed to have taken a hit in ratings since his departure, due to his dramatic shows and sometimes aggressive interrogation of guests. At least, the show has now been purged of the one major flaw which surfaced in the end due to his obsession with criticising Meghan Markle-a relative lack of integrity.