PIERS Morgan’s comments about Prince Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah interview has led to Good Morning Britain becoming the most complained about show so far this year.
Telly watchdog Ofcom received a record 57,121 complaints, the highest number in their history, from viewers outraged at Piers' views on the couple’s chat. He walked off live on-air and later resigned from the daytime show after a spat with weatherman Alex Beresford.
It came after Piers cast doubt over Meghan’s claims that she had harboured suicidal thoughts when living in the UK. Piers, a former friend of Meghan, said on air that he “didn’t believe a word” of what she had told Oprah.
That led to an avalanche of viewers contacting the body to complain about his conduct. Ofcom also received 5,949 complaints from viewers over ITV’s screening of the Oprah interview itself.
It registered another 7,082 about Channel 5 show Celebrities: What Happened To Your Face?, making it the second most complained about show of 2021 so far.
Channel 5 later announced it had pulled the documentary that featured the appearance of reality star Charlotte Crosby. After hearing about the show, ex Geordie Shore member Charlotte shared a lengthy statement on Twitter, branding it “immoral and insensitive”.
“Dealing with trolls is one thing, you ignore, you block,” she wrote. “BUT where are we as a society when the trolls are the mainstream TV channels?
“Will they now take responsibility for my dip in mental health and my plummeted self-esteem? Do they take responsibility for the resulting press from the show, again discussing how ‘shocking’ my face is?”
The GMB programmes which aired on March 8 and 9 beat the previous record of 44,500 set in respect of Shilpa Shetty’s 2007 appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
The mental health charity Mind was “disappointed and concerned” about the comments made. “It’s vital that, when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health, they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy,” said a spokesman.
It later emerged that Meghan also made a formal complaint to Ofcom, raising concerns about the effect Morgan’s views may have on mental health generally and those attempting to deal with their own problems – not about the attack on her.
ITV announced Morgan had “decided to leave” the show, shortly after Ofcom said it had launched an investigation under its harm and offence rules, having received more than 41,000 complaints in two days.
Morgan later claimed to be the victim of “cancel culture”.
*In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie
