Good Moaning Britain
MORGAN’S MEGHAN RANT MAKES HISTORY Highest ever number of complaints follow hissy-fit TV outburst
PIERS Morgan’s rants about the Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey have attracted a record number of complaints.
The episodes of ITV’s Good Morning Britain on March 8 and 9 sparked 57,121 complaints to Ofcom – the most ever made to the TV watchdog.
Morgan claimed on air he “didn’t believe a word” after Meghan opened her heart about feeling suicidal and accused the royal family of racism towards her.
Morgan stormed off the show the following day after he was challenged about his crass comments by weather presenter Alex Beresford.
ITV confirmed Morgan had quit the show that evening, shortly after a deluge of complaints prompted Ofcom to investigate under its harm and offence rules.
It later emerged Meghan also made a formal complaint to Ofcom about the TV host.
She said her concern was about the effect Morgan’s comments may have on those dealing with mental health problems, not about the personal attack on herself.
Ofcom said: “We can confirm that this issue has attracted the highest number of complaints since our reporting
BY TOM BRYANT reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk began.” After a preview clip aired of Meghan discussing her mental health, suicidal thoughts and royal officials’ knowledge of them, Morgan said during the Monday programme: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says. I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.”
Morgan accused her of sparking an “onslaught” against the royal family. He was criticised by mental health charity Mind, which said: “It’s vital that, when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health, they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy.”
On the Tuesday morning after the interview was broadcast in full, viewers saw Morgan walk off following a heated exchange in which Beresford accused him of “trashing” Meghan.
Morgan has stood by his comments and said his departure from GMB was caused by the “cancel culture that is permeating our country”.
Ofcom’s previously most complained about issue was when Celebrity Big Brother contestants were accused of racism towards Shilpa Shetty in 2007, attracting 44,500 complaints.
OFCOM TV WATCHDOG ON MORGAN ROW