Richard Madeley has claimed Piers Morgan has a "large heart" in a tale from the ex-GMB host's past.
The presenter, of Richard and Judy fame, defended his friend in a column for The Spectator, as the fallout continues from Morgan's comments about the Duchess of Sussex.
Madeley said he will not join GMB as a replacement for Morgan, who resigned last week after refusing to apologise for saying he did not believe Meghan's claims about her treatment from the Royal Family.
In his column, Madeley wrote: "I’ve known Piers for more than 30 years — we went to the same journalism college — and he has a large heart. Years ago Judy and I and the kids were holidaying in Florida and, unknown to us, we were papped in a hotel pool.
"The photos were hawked around the tabloids and I had a call from Piers, then editor of the Daily Mirror."
Morgan told Madeley he had exclusively bought the snaps "as a favour" to the television couple.
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The then-Mirror editor suggested he sent a photographer to the hotel to get some "properly posed holiday shots" of the family.
When Madeley declined because of the "precedent" it would set, there was an "odd, metallic tinkling sound".
Morgan said: "Hear that? That was me chucking those photos in my bin. They’ll never see the light of day. Enjoy the rest of your holiday."
Madeley also used the piece to give an appraisal of his pal's controversial style.
He wrote: "My analogy last week was with an F1 racing driver: Piers presents TV with his foot to the floor, going into bends at speed and skidding through the chicanes on full rubber-burning four-wheel lock. Drive a show like that and inevitably you’ll spin off the track. But he’ll be back."
The star also denied he would replace Morgan despite Paddy Power making him favourite to take over on GMB.
He dubbed this the "kiss of death", arguing the eventual winner "always comes from behind".
Madeley tipped Ranvir Singh as a contender, after making an "impressive pairing" with Susanna Reid the morning after Morgan stormed off set in the face of Bristolian weatherman Alex Beresford's criticism over his conduct.
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