Piers Morgan news – Host breaks silence on GMB return as 200,000 call for his return after Meghan Markle racism row

WHO WILL REPLACE PIERS MORGAN ON GMB?

PIERS Morgan has sensationally quit his job as host of Good Morning Britain.

Viewers are now wondering who will be lined up to replace him on the ITV breakfast show.

Find out all the latest rumours here.

GMB WILL BE ‘QUIETER’ WITHOUT PIERS, SAYS LORRAINE KELLY

Piers Morgan’s colleague Lorraine Kelly says that GMB will be “quieter” and “calmer” without the controversial host, after he quit the show.

Speaking on The One Show this evening Lorraine, who has worked with Piers at ITV for several years, said: “To be honest he did email me about 20 minutes ago and that was the first I’d heard about it.

“I thought I was going to see him because I was going to go on GMB to talk about the documentary.

“‘No I’m gone’, he said. I don’t know anymore details than that. It’s certainly going to be quieter.

“But you know what we all wish him well. We wish him the best. It’ll be calmer, I think.”

‘I WILL MISS OUR JOUSTING’ SAYS NEWS RIVAL DAN WALKER

BBC Breakfast host has described Piers Morgan as “great company” after he earlier taunted his news rival by inviting him onto the show to “talk about” his shock GMB exit.

The pair have been known to frequently clash on Twitter and Dan has said he will miss their “jousting”.

He wrote on Twitter: “I know Piers a little away from TV & I’ve always found him to be great company (as I’ve said many times).

“I’m sure that underneath the fluff, guff & occasional bile is a decent bloke fighting to get out.

“I will miss our jousting and I’m sure we’ll see him back on the box soon.”

INSIDE PIERS’ THREE HOMES

PIERS Morgan has plenty of choice of places to put his feet up after quitting Good Morning Britain – owning a plush London townhouse, huge country abode and Hollywood mansion.

The 55-year-old star has been holed up at his home in the capital since leaving the show after refusing to apologise for his comments about Meghan Markle.

Read more here.

PIERS MORGAN’S WIFE CELIA WALDEN POKES FUN AT GMB EXIT

PIERS Morgan’s wife Celia Walden has poked fun at his Good Morning Britain exit with a hilarious parody video.

The journalist, 45, who has been married to the controversial presenter for 11 year, made light of the situation on her Instagram feed.

Read more here.

PIERS MORGAN IS GETTING ‘VILE AND ABUSIVE’ DEATH THREATS FROM ‘TEENAGE GIRLS’ SAYS SON

Piers Morgan has been getting “vile and abusive” death threats from “teenage girls,” his son Spencer has revealed.

It comes after the presenter, 55, said he doesn’t believe many of the claims Meghan Markle made in her recent interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Speaking out about the messages his dad has received, he told his 59.1k followers on Twitter: “To be specific it’s early teenage girls. The ones who ‘stan’ stuff and have s**t like One Direction in their bio. Sending death threats etc, you name it. Poor kids – hope they get help.”

The tweet comes after he stated that people on the social media platform are “too scared to go even the slightest bit against the grain”.

He followed up with another post an hour later that said: “What’s also become clear is it’s the brainwashed young are the most vile and abusive on Team Woke. Their parents must save them.”

EXPLAINED: IS PIERS MORGAN JOINING GB NEWS?

Piers Morgan has become open for work after leaving Good Morning Britain on March 9, 2021.

The presenter has not said whether he will join GB News, but Andrew Neil, the chairman of the new channel, said he would be “delighted” to explore this possibility.

Mr Neil told the BBC: “Well, Piers would be a huge asset to GB News and we’ll definitely look at that.

“We haven’t started any negotiations yet.

“We would certainly be delighted to talk to him if he’s up for it.”

PIERS MORGAN QUITS GMB: WHAT TO KNOW

PIERS MORGAN COULD BE REPLACED ON GOOD MORNING BRITAIN BY SUSANNA REID’S PAL ROB RINDER

BEN SHEPHARD DROPS AWKWARD JOKE ABOUT PIERS MORGAN STORMING OFF GMB MID-SHOW AND QUITTING

GMB anchor Ben Shephard made an awkward joke about Piers Morgan on today’s show – referencing the star’s walk-out before he quit the programme.

It has been a dramatic week for the breakfast show, with the 55-year-old host sensationally clashing with co-star Alex Beresford on Tuesday, and ITV announcing his departure just hours later.

He and Kate were going over today’s newspaper front pages with a host of guests – including pundit Iain Dale.

After discussing the latest following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s bombshell Oprah interview with royal expert Chris Ship, Ben said to Iain: “Iain, we’re not going to come to you on Harry and Meghan as I imagine you may leave and we don’t want that.”

Iain wiped his brow in faux relief, as Ben went on to joke: “We’ve had enough of that this week!” – with Kate giggling beside him.

Read more here.

PIERS MORGAN SAYS FINAL GMB APPEARANCE BEAT BBC BREAKFAST IN RATINGS FOR FIRST TIME EVER

Morgan earlier tweeted that he enjoyed a victory over BBC Breakfast on his final day on GMB.

“I had one goal when I joined GMB – beat BBC Breakfast in the ratings,” he wrote.

“On my last day, we did it. That was down to the hard work and dedication of the whole team.

“They don’t all agree with me, some don’t even like me, but we were a team … and we won. Thanks guys. I’ll miss you.”

ALEX BERESFORD: I DIDN’T WANT PIERS TO QUIT

Earlier on Thursday, Good Morning Britain weather presenter Alex Beresford said he had not wanted Morgan to quit the show after they had a heated on-air discussion about Meghan which led to Morgan walking off set.

On Twitter, Beresford said: “I didn’t want him to quit, but I did want him to listen.”

Beresford, 40, said challenging Morgan’s views was “not an outrage”.

During Thursday’s programme, presenter Kate Garraway described Morgan as “passionate” and “authentic”.

I’LL MISS YOU: PIERS MORGAN THANKS GMB TEAM FOLLOWING EXIT

Piers Morgan has bid farewell to the team at Good Morning Britain following his dramatic departure on Tuesday night.

The TV presenter, who exited the ITV breakfast show following comments made about the Duchess of Sussex, tweeted: “I had one goal when I joined

@GMB – beat @BBCBreakfast in the ratings. On my last day, we did it. That was down to the hard work & dedication of the whole team. They don’t all agree with me, some don’t even like me, but we were a team..and we won. Thanks guys. I’ll miss you.”

PIERS MORGAN DISMISSES GMB RETURN AFTER PETITIONS REACH 200,000 SIGNATURES

Piers Morgan has said he will not be returning to Good Morning Britain, after petitions calling for him to be reinstated reached a combined total of almost 200,000 signatures.

The TV presenter, 55, thanked those who had supported him following his on-air comments about the Duchess of Sussex and her headline-making interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Morgan stood down after saying he did not believe the duchess’s remarks in the interview, when she spoke about her mental health and having suicidal thoughts.

His comments were criticised by mental health charity Mind and prompted 41,000 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, and a formal complaint to ITV from Meghan. Three petitions on Change.org calling for Morgan to return to GMB have since garnered a combined total of more than 196,000 signatures.

In response to the numbers, Morgan wrote on Twitter: “I won’t be going back, but thanks to everyone who has signed these petitions. Normally, people start petitions to have me fired or deported, so this is a pleasant surprise.”

ODDS SLASHED ON JEREMY CLARKSON REPLACING PIERS MORGAN

Leading bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on Jeremy Clarkson replacing Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain to 6-4 (from 4-1) over the last 24 hours.

“Just like Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson is not afraid to speak his mind. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host is right at the front end of the betting now to take over the hot seat on Good Morning Britain,” said Coral’s John Hill.

SHARON OSBOURNE APOLOGY (CONTINUED)

“To anyone of colour that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry.

“I panicked, felt blindsided, got defensive and allowed my fear and horror of being accused of being racist take over.

“There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast!

“I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us and will continue to learn, listen and do better.”

Osbourne had also tweeted her support for Morgan, saying: “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.”

SHARON OSBOURNE: I’M SORRY IF I OFFENDED ANYONE OVER PIERS MORGAN ROW

Sharon Osbourne has said she is “truly sorry” if she caused offence with comments she made in a row about Piers Morgan.

The 68-year-old hit the headlines when she defended Morgan, who quit his Good Morning Britain job after saying he did not believe the Duchess of Sussex’s comments in her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Osbourne made her original comments on US show The Talk, saying: “I feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend who many people think is a racist so that makes me a racist.”

Now she has tweeted, after “some reflection”, that she is “truly sorry”.

Osbourne wrote: “I have always been embraced with so much love and support from the black community and I have deep respect and love for the black community.”

DENISE WELCH ACCUSES PIERS MORGAN’S GMB CO-STARS OF BEING ‘FAKE’ IN ‘RAGE TWEET’

Denise Welch accused Piers Morgan’s Good Morning Britain co-stars of being “fake” in a “rage tweet”.

The former Good Morning Britain presenter sensationally quit the show this week after refusing to apologise for his comments about Meghan Markle.

In a now-deleted tweet, Denise said: “To those colleagues defending Piers and saying what a great guy he is just remember… I have receipts!!”

Denise said of the tweet when asked by the Daily Star: “I rage tweeted then thought better of it. Commenting no further.”

Read more here.

ODDS SLASHED

Leading bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on Jeremy Clarkson replacing Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain to 6-4 (from 4-1) over the last 24 hours.

“Just like Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson is not afraid to speak his mind. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host is right at the front end of the betting now to take over the hot seat on Good Morning Britain,” said Coral’s John Hill.

ALEX SPEAKS

Good Morning Britain weather presenter Alex Beresford said he had not wanted Morgan to quit the show after they had a heated on-air discussion about Meghan which led to Morgan walking off set.

On Twitter, Beresford said: “I didn’t want him to quit, but I did want him to listen.”

Beresford, 40, said challenging Morgan’s views was “not an outrage”.

During Thursday’s programme, presenter Kate Garraway described Morgan as “passionate” and “authentic”.

WE WANT BEN

ITV presenter Ben Shephard has pipped Bradley Walsh and Jeremy Clarkson as the best replacement for Piers Morgan as host of Good Morning Britain, according to research.

A survey of 1,864 adults in the UK saw Shephard take first place in a poll, while Alex Beresford, whose comments caused Piers to walk out of the GMB studio on the day of his final broadcast, was fourth on the list.

Adrian Chiles completes the top five dream hosts.

Just under two thirds (64 per cent) of respondents believe it’s right for Piers to no longer hold the job because he’s a ‘bully’, and 52 per cent feel he has been rude to guests.

NOT COMING BACK

Piers Morgan has said he will not be returning to Good Morning Britain, after petitions calling for him to be reinstated reached a combined total of almost 200,000 signatures.

The TV presenter, 55, thanked those who had supported him following his on-air comments about the Duchess of Sussex and her headline-making interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Morgan stood down after saying he did not believe the duchess’s remarks in the interview, when she spoke about her mental health and having suicidal thoughts.

His comments were criticised by mental health charity Mind and prompted 41,000 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, and a formal complaint to ITV from Meghan.

‘WE AGREE TO DISAGREE’

Good Morning Britain’s Alex Beresford has been pictured for the first time since Piers Morgan quit the ITV breakfast show.

The 40-year-old weather expert “wished Piers well” as he went for a walk near his home in Bristol on Thursday.

GMB weatherman Alex looked sharp in a navy suit, shirt and white converse as he got in his daily exercise around his neighbourhood.

Looking solemn, he didn’t smile for the cameras and avoided eye contact as he took some time away from the ITV studios.

HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT PIERS MORGAN’S COVERAGE OF MEGHAN MARKLE?

Over 41,000 viewers complained to regulator Ofcom about Piers’ coverage of Meghan.

The Duchess of Sussex’s representatives are also understood to have complained on her behalf to Ofcom.

Social media users criticised Piers and noted how his comments were in contrast with ITV’s mental health campaign, Britain Get Talking, which is supported by charities such as Young Minds and Mind.

A petition was launched to get him axed from the show.

IS PIERS JOINING GB NEWS?

Piers Morgan has become open for work after leaving Good Morning Britain on March 9, 2021.

The presenter has not said whether he will join GB News, but Andrew Neil, the chairman of the new channel, said he would be “delighted” to explore this possibility.

Mr Neil told the BBC: “Well, Piers would be a huge asset to GB News and we’ll definitely look at that.

“We haven’t started any negotiations yet.

“We would certainly be delighted to talk to him if he’s up for it.”