The showbiz feud of the century between Piers Morgan and the Duchess of Sussex took another dramatic turn yesterday.
The presenter was cleared by TV regulator Ofcom, which ruled he hadn’t breached its code when he witheringly dismissed claims she’d made to Oprah Winfrey about racism and having suicidal thoughts.
Many people are calling it a victory for free speech, and in many ways it is.
Like it or not – and many people don’t – Piers had every right to challenge and interrogate what was said during that bombshell interview earlier this year. It is, after all, his job.
But where do you draw the line?
Are we really saying that it’s OK for a broadcaster to label a person’s suicidal thoughts as a pack of lies? I’m really uncomfortable with that.
During the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, Piers was easily the best thing on telly, asking the tough questions and regularly holding ministers to account – the ones who weren’t too scared to be grilled by him, anyway.
There’s no doubt he’s one of the best broadcasters out there. But mental health is a very delicate subject.
We’re in an age with much more understanding of the issues, with people encouraged to share their thoughts. When famous people open up, it can help others struggling too.
So, despite what Ofcom has said, it does feel like Piers overstepped the mark – the 58,000 people who complained certainly thought he had.
Gymnast Simone Biles and tennis star Naomi Osaka have also been on the receiving end – with Piers mouthing off as they were going through very public mental anguish.
The beef between Piers and Meghan is obviously personal. He has never forgiven her for “ghosting” him.
But as Good Morning Britain weather presenter Alex Beresford said, that’s her prerogative. Meghan moved on to what she thought was something bigger and better.
In typical Piers style he’s demanded: “Do I get my job back?”
The answer is likely to be a resounding “no” from ITV. It’s a shame, as it would be great to see him back.
I just wish he’d continue doing what he does best – holding politicians and people in power to account, rather than high-profile women at their lowest point.
