Here's Why Piers Morgan Just Lost His Job

Feelings Drama

Transcript

00:00His former co-host Susannah Reid called him unique, someone you either loved or hated.

00:06The Guardian compared him to Marmite, the yeast-based, smelly spread that people either

00:10love or hate. And it's that dichotomy and his ability to bring up such strong feelings

00:16among members of his audience that made him what people call good TV.

00:20Well, he's good TV no more, because Piers Morgan has left his job at ITV's Good Morning

00:27Britain.

00:28According to The Hollywood Reporter, Morgan received a record 41,000 complaints from

00:32viewers over his comments about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

00:37In particular, viewers took issue with the controversial journalist's statement that he didn't believe

00:42Markle when she opened up about experiencing suicidal thoughts and being rebuffed when she

00:48asked for help.

00:50Morgan ranted,

00:51"'Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I'm sorry. I don't believe a word she

00:55said.' Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe it if she read me a weather report."

01:00Shortly after ITV's broadcasting regulator announced they planned to investigate him due

01:04to these comments, Morgan made an official statement through the broadcast network that

01:09he would be leaving the show.

01:11The network said in a brief statement,

01:13Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning

01:18Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.

01:23Morgan is known for taking controversial stances, but publicly expressing doubt about Markle's

01:28admission appeared to be the final straw for viewers and the network. Given the stigma attached

01:34to mental illness, it's often difficult to open up about one's personal struggles, and

01:39hearing people express doubt about anyone's suicidal ideation can send a devastating message

01:44to others who are dealing with similar thoughts.

01:47As Good Morning Britain's weatherman Alex Beresford put it, according to the outlet,

01:52Morgan's diatribe was diabolical. Mind, a Britain-based mental health charity that has a partnership

01:58with ITV, tweeted a statement in response to Morgan's comments.

02:02We were disappointed and concerned to see Piers Morgan's comments on not believing Megan's

02:07experiences about suicidal thoughts today. It's vital that when people reach out for

02:12support or share their experiences of ill mental health, that they are treated with

02:16dignity, respect, and empathy.

02:19Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle have some history which might explain the mutual animosity.

02:24In 2018, he told an Irish talk show that the actress ghosted him after they met for drinks.

02:30Morgan recalls that they had a couple of drinks, and then he put her in a cab. And as a twist

02:34of fate, he told the interviewer,

02:36It turned out to be a cab that took her to a party where she met Prince Harry. Like a jilted

02:41lover, he went on. And then the next night, they had a solo dinner together. And that was

02:46the last I had ever heard from Meghan Markle. I have never heard from her again.

02:50It appears Meghan might feel strongly about Piers, too, because, as The Daily Beast reports,

02:56she might have had a hand in his departure from ITV. Apparently, the duchess promptly

03:01filed a formal complaint to the network which airs his show.

03:05ITV reporter Chris Shipp tweeted,

03:07The complaint is thought to have been sent to the broadcaster's CEO. Meghan raised concerns

03:12about how Piers Morgan's words affect the issue of mental health and what it might do to

03:16others contemplating suicide. Here's the thing about Marmite. Even though it's pretty nasty,

03:22it can be surprisingly good with certain things. As such, there's a few Team Morgan folks out

03:27there. As one journalist for The Daily Mail tweeted,

03:30I just bumped into Piers Morgan on my way into work. During our very brief conversation,

03:35he was stopped by one passerby for a selfie, while a passing motorist shouted out of her window,

03:41We love you, Piers. Another supporter shared,

03:43I was actually blocked by him. But on this, I totally agree with him.

03:48And a third seemed to pitch an idea for Morgan's future career, writing,

03:52Oh God, he's going to be prime minister one day, isn't he? Conversely, a number of people spoke

03:58out on social media explaining why Morgan's comments are so harmful to people dealing with

04:03mental illness and suicidal thoughts. One user tweeted,

04:06How can Piers say he doesn't believe Megan was suicidal? She is literally the only person

04:11who can tell you whether or not that is true. This is the exact reason why people don't ask for

04:17help. It seems it takes someone to actually kill themselves to get any sympathy. Another wrote,

04:23I don't believe her? This is Piers Morgan setting a dangerous precedent. He is not only saying he

04:28doesn't believe Megan felt suicidal, he is minimizing her feelings and indirectly minimizing the feelings of

04:34everyone who has felt or is feeling like this. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts,

04:42please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK-8255 or text HOME to the

04:53Crisis Text Line 741741.

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