ITV boss Kevin Lygo admitted he was amazed Piers Morgan "lasted this long" on Good Morning Britain.
Piers sensationally quit the show just hours after storming off-stage following a clash with weatherman Alex Beresford about airing his own controversial comments that he didn't believe Meghan Markle when she spoke in the Oprah chat.
The presenter, having lost sleep over his turmoil, chose to leave with immediate effect rather than apologise to the Duchess of Sussex and go against freedom of speech, which he has continued to champion.
But it's clear there's no bad blood between ITV and Piers.
In fact ITV boss Kevin said there had been a few other hairy moments where he thought Piers might quit - or be forced out - the breakfast show.
He told Deadline : “He’s done a good innings for Piers. I’m amazed he lasted this long. Trust me, there were some other moments where I thought, ‘Oh, here we go.’
"The last time I signed him was about a year-and-half ago, and I remember saying: ‘Well, we’ve had a great run haven’t we Piers?
"I can’t believe there’s ever going to be a moment where I present you with a carriage clock for long service, so let’s just keep it going for as long as we can.”
The ITV boss joked Piers had a lot of holiday time anyway.
Piers gave his side of the juicy story, confessing he even had a troubled night of sleep before making the decision to leave.
The presenter admitted he refused to apologise for his controversial comments about Meghan after she herself had lodged a complaint against him.
In his Daily Mail column, he wrote: "Oh s**t. This must be more serious than I thought. Mid-afternoon, Kevin Lygo, ITV's Director of Television, who I'd spoken to several times since yesterday, rang to say we were now 'on the cliff edge' and either I apologised, or I would have to leave GMB.
"And even if I did apologise, that wouldn't be the end of it. The woke brigade would keep coming for me, demanding I apologise for everything else they find offensive – which of course, is absolutely everything."
He added: "I called Kevin back, said I wouldn't be apologising, and we agreed I'd leave GMB with immediate effect."
*Good Morning Britain airs on weekday mornings on ITV and is available on catch-up on ITV Hub.
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