Gary Lineker tweeted in praise of Morgan after ITV announced the journalist was leaving the breakfast show.
(Picture: PA)Gary Lineker has come under fire after praising Piers Morgan and saying the former Good Morning Britain host will be ‘back on the telly soon’.
He tweeted in praise of Morgan after ITV announced the journalist was leaving the breakfast show.
Lineker said: “Whether it’s a football manager, a television presenter or any profession for that matter, it’s always sad when someone loses their job. @piersmorgan is excellent at what he does and I’m sure he’ll be back on the telly soon.”
But Lineker faced a backlash amid criticism of Morgan over comments he made on Monday about what the Duchess of Sussex had told Oprah Winfrey about feeling suicidal during their landmark interview.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom launched an investigation into the show after more than 40,000 complaints were received about his comments.
Whether it’s a football manager, a television presenter or any profession for that matter, it’s always sad when someone loses their job. @piersmorgan is excellent at what he does and I’m sure he’ll be back on the telly soon.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) March 9, 2021
Lineker got thousands of replies with one telling him to “do better”, while another saying: “shame on you”.
Shame on you @GaryLineker
— Aaron Dolan (@AaronDolanMusic) March 9, 2021
Another reply raised the criticism of Morgan over his comments about what Meghan had told Oprah Winfrey about feeling suicidal. They also criticised Morgan for storming off the set of the news programme on Tuesday following a heated discussion with his colleague, Alex Beresford, about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s TV interview.
hard disagree. he accused a woman of lying when she said she felt suicidal. then he flounced off set when being held to account for it. that's not "excellent" by any stretch of the imagination
— Siobhán Moore (@SiobhanMoore90) March 9, 2021
Not everyone disagreed with Lineker with one saying nothing that Morgan did “was wrong”.
Nothing what Piers Morgan did was wrong. It exposes all the wetwipes and gets answers. You’re extremely sad if you think someone losing their job is OK
— Christopher (@Smithychris2004) March 9, 2021
Another agreed Lineker was correct to say the broadcaster was good at his job “as ultimately the aim is to make people watch”.
I don’t like piers, but him being the way he is brought viewers that’s why he is saying he is good at his job as ultimately the aim is to make people watch
— He who arrived in a special way (@aka_tari) March 9, 2021
A statement from ITV on Tuesday said: “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.”
