Matthew Wright has lashed out at Piers Morgan over his criticism of Simone Biles, accusing him of "dumping all over" the US gymnast.
The 56-year-old, who has spoken about how his mental health has affected his being able to work, went on to say that blasting Simone for "doing the right thing for her at the right time doesn't help anyone".
Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers, 61, has attracted ire on Twitter after complaining that "real sporting champions don't celebrate coming 3rd".
He then went on to lash out at US gymnast Simone Biles, who is a sexual assault survivor, after she withdrew from the team final to focus on her mental health.
The 24-year-old received her lowest Olympic vault score before withdrawing from the event and said: "After the performance I did, I just didn't want to go on.
"I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
"We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
"I don't trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it's getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world."
Yet Piers appeared to feel minimal sympathy as his fingers descended onto his phone and furiously tweeted: "Are ‘mental health issues’ now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke. Just admit you did badly, made mistakes, and will strive to do better next time. Kids need strong role models not this nonsense."
Responding to Simone's withdrawal, Matthew said on This Morning: "Stress is a form of mental health, a mental health concern.
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"All the pressures that would build up on a young woman like Simone, plus the fact that she's a victim of sex abuse. All the pressures, I can perfectly understand why she'd walk away at the last minute."
Referring to Piers' infamous moment walking off GMB over a debate with Alex Beresford on Meghan Markle, Matthew said: "What I really have a problem with - I mean, the guy I'm thinking of that walked off a TV show because someone criticised him has been dumping all over her.
"This is the problem - I think mental health is perceived by some people as being some huge negative thing, some badge of shame. And having people like that dump all over Simone for doing the right thing for her at the right time doesn't help anyone."
*This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV
