Piers Morgan has sensationally quit Good Morning Britain hours after the launch of a social media campaign which saw more than 40,000 complaints made to Ofcom.
The tough-talking morning show host, who has helped rocket the ITV show to its highest ever viewing figures, attracted a backlash on Twitter after casting doubt over Meghan Markle’s mental health claims in her explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Today the UK’s television regulator announced it would launch an investigation following a flurry of complaints, driven by a social media campaign against the broadcaster – with many linking to the Ofcom official complaints page.
It came after the 55-year-old host today shocked viewers by walking off camera during a heated on-air row with weatherman Alex Beresford.
The broadcaster stormed out of the studio saying ‘I’m done with this’ after being challenged on his position of the Duke and Duchess by his co-star.
Afterwards ITV CEO Carolyn McCall – who formerly worked for the left-wing Guardian newspaper – said that the broadcaster’s media and entertainment MD Kevin Lygo was speaking to Mr Morgan.
And this evening it was announced that Mr Morgan had quit the hugely popular ITV show – which he co-hosted with Susanna Reid.
An ITV spokesman told MailOnline: ‘Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.’
It is understood Mr Morgan had been asked to apologise for his remarks yesterday which had been criticised by mental health campaigners but had declined.
It brings to an end his six-year long association with the breakfast show, which he originally joined as a guest host in 2015, during which time he has made it must-see TV with a strong of exclusives and his strident opinions.
Ironically it came the day after GMB recorded its highest ever viewing figures in the wake of Megan Markle’s blockbuster Oprah Winfrey interview.
