Controversial, yes, but I thought Piers was alright
Ireally like Piers Morgan. I think he did an absolute cracking job of the pandemic coverage last year when he was co-hosting ITV’s flagship morning show, Good Morning Britain. He was the reason I tuned in, and having a newborn at the time it was also quite nice to tune my brain back into current affairs for a few hours.
There’s no doubt about it though – Piers is definitely Marmite, you either love him or hate him, but I’m the former.
I don’t agree with a lot that comes out of his mouth and I think he lets himself down by being controversial for controversy’s sake, which is his biggest flaw. Nonetheless his reporting last year, especially holding government figures accountable and posing hard questions when others would fluff around the question, was admirable.
I was gutted when ITV fired him over the comments he made about Meghan Markle last year.
Did he go too far? Yes, I think he did. Would some people be offended by his comments? Probably.
But were his comments racially motivated or otherwise? No, in my opinion. And it would seem that Ofcom, the regulatory body for TV and media, agrees.
Despite receiving thousands of complaints about his reporting over the Harry and Meghan fiasco (remember
when they did the ‘tell all’ interview with Oprah?) they’ve declared that after careful investigation they believe he was simply doing his job and I’m pleased for him.
I can see why people don’t like him, but a lot of people don’t like those who speak openly about controversial issues.
I think it was ITV’s biggest mistake to take him off the show – it’s never been anywhere near what it was since his departure.
The moment the powers-that-be take away those with voices, regardless of their opinion, especially on a topical news debate show where it’s the journalists’ job to be confronting will be the end of the free press and detrimental to us all overall.
You may not like Piers but he has my respect for staying true to his opinions
regardless of ratings or outcomes.