[142], When the couple stepped away from conducting official royal duties early in 2020, Morgan described them as being "the two most spoiled brats in history". [113] In 2016, Ofcom received 70 complaints in relation to comments made by Morgan during interview with Christian magistrate Richard Page about gay marriage, that viewers felt "implied Christians were homophobic". [66][67] After poor ratings, CNN announced that the show was to be axed. Pros [36], The Mirror attempted to move mid-market in 2002, eschewing the more trivial stories of show-business and gossip, and appointed Christopher Hitchens as a columnist, but sales declined. Neither the reporters nor the photographers succeeded. Absolutely. 'Your TV shows are BRILLIANT!, he exclaimed. Although Ofcom did not take action as his co-presenter Susanna Reid quickly apologised, the watchdog expressed concern at his behaviour. This was judged by Ofcom to be unfair to the council. The audience responded loudly in favour of Hislop. [137][138][139] Hislop, who was working on a World War I documentary at the time, responded by asking "Is that an armistice or an unconditional surrender?" [160] Morgan announced in mid 2011 that the couple were expecting a child,[161] and on 25 November 2011, Walden gave birth to a daughter, Elise, her first child and Morgan's fourth. "[98], During Morgan's tenure as editor, the Daily Mirror was advised by Steven Nott that voicemail interception was possible by means of a standard PIN code. Among the celebrities who have backed Piers Morgan are BBC Match of the Day football host Gary Lineker (top far left), his former Britain's Got … [16], As editor of the Daily Mirror, Morgan was forced to apologise on television for the headline (rendered in upper case) "Achtung Surrender! In the piece, Morgan wrote: "Don't get me wrong; he's a magnificent athlete with an extraordinary work ethic and will-to-win that places him in the very highest echelons of sporting achievement. [114] Ofcom confirmed on 13 April 2016 that Morgan would not be investigated for his comments. [84], Nearly a fortnight later, on the American talk show Real Time with Bill Maher, Morgan said "There is no Muslim ban", as "85% of the world's Muslims are allowed in the country". He’s a liar. It’s probably not wise, if you’re a columnist, to make things too personal. [23] Fearful of a privacy law action if he had not criticised one of his employees, Murdoch is said to have apologised to Morgan in private. [21] Murdoch was reported as having said that "the boy went too far"[22] and publicly distanced himself from the story. 11 Years in the Life of Piers Morgan", "Earl Spencer loses privacy battle to Europe", "The New Statesman Profile – Piers Morgan", "Piers Morgan: The man with no moral compass who found his destiny in a steadfast opposition to war", "Oh, Sorry: Tabloids Lose the Soccer War", "Mirror editor saw his shares soar after paper tipped company", "Columnist rewrites his 'Mirror' tips story over share tips", "Mirror editor 'bought £67,000 of shares before they were tipped, "I should have been fired years ago, to be honest", "Piers Morgan on phone-hacking, Iraq photos", "Piers Morgan clinches Press Gazette deal", "Piers Morgan turns proprietor with purchase of Press Gazette", "Big titles boycott Morgans organ press awards", "Piers Morgan launches children's newspaper", "Reporter Who Called Bush 'Idiot' for Segway Fall Cracks Ribs in Fall from Contraption", "Morgan had broken ribs in 'Talent' final", "Piers Morgan, Feather Duster: CNN must be having second thoughts", "Piers Morgan: did he meet Jimmy Savile or didn't he? In October 2018, Morgan appeared as a cameo on Hollyoaks. [47][48] Morgan was editorial director at First News, responsible for bringing in celebrity involvement. Former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has hit back at stinging criticism from Piers Morgan with a fiery social media post. [5][6] Morgan has written eight books, including four volumes of memoirs. "[102] Appearing as a witness at the same Inquiry on 9 February 2012, Mills was asked under oath if she had ever made a recording of McCartney's phone call or had played it to Morgan; she replied: "Never". [147], When challenged by Decca Aitkenhead of The Sunday Times in May 2020 over "his vendetta" against the Duchess, with Aitkenhead suggesting he had gone too far, Morgan said: "I think that’s a perfectly fair criticism. Speaking in defence of Wenger in 2015, former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson labelled Morgan an "incredibly pompous individual". [1] He was educated at the independent Cumnor House prep school between the ages of seven and 13, then Chailey School, a comprehensive secondary school in Chailey, followed by Priory School, Lewes, for sixth form. [164] When Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey met Morgan on 26 April 2015, Ramsey refused to shake his hand due to the criticism he received from Morgan during the 2012–13 season. ... Former wonderkid but injuries ruined my football career (honestly). Morgan's golden handcuffs deal was the first signing by ITV's new director of television, Peter Fincham. [8][9] On 9 March 2021, ITV announced that Morgan decided to leave the programme with immediate effect, following public outrage in response to negative comments he made about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in the days after the US airing of the Oprah with Meghan and Harry interview. Piers verbally launched a campaign saying that those who spew racist abuse on social media should be held to account in real life. [39] When, within days the photographs were shown to be crude fakes, under the headline "SORRY..WE WERE HOAXED", the Mirror responded that it had fallen victim to a "calculated and malicious hoax" and apologised for the publication of the photographs. Later on, guest panellist Clive Anderson confronted Morgan commenting, "the last time I was rude to you, you sent photographers to my doorstep the next day", to which Piers Morgan retorted, "You won't see them this time." He has been a regular critic of the couple since then, alleging they are hypocrites and claiming the Duchess is a social climber. During the trial it emerged that Morgan had bought £67,000 worth of Viglen shares, emptying his bank account and investing under his (first) wife's name, too. Almost certainly his most controversial pick comes at number one in the form of Sir Donald Bradman. [34] Further enquiry by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2004 cleared Morgan of any charges. Speaking about the Juventus star, Morgan said: "He recently broke the all-time goal-scoring record of 758 goals and is still playing out of his skin for Juventus in Italy at the age of 36. [60], In February 2009, he began a three-part series, Piers Morgan On..., which saw him visit Dubai, Monte Carlo and Hollywood. [105], On 28 November 2012, the Channel 4 documentary Taking on the Tabloids, fronted by actor and phone hacking victim Hugh Grant, showed footage from a 2003 interview with Morgan by the singer and phone hacking victim Charlotte Church, during which he explained to her how to avoid answerphone messages being listened to by journalists. Piers' post-journalism career began when he presented a BBC television documentary The Importance of … I've always loved Jimmy Savile. InfluencHers, a group of 100 African Caribbean women, advocated an advertisers' boycott of Good Morning Britain. Morgan began his career in 1989 in Fleet Street as a writer and editor for several British tabloids, including The Sun, News of the World, and the Daily Mirror. A tense on-air argument with his co-host Alex Beresford led him to walk off the set of the show. Although he was not a fan of pop music, he was considered skilled at self-publicity and became the column's main writer. Chris Eubank will become the latest star to appear on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories when the latest show airs this week.. Morgan clearly hasn’t taken into consideration the level of competition this choice faced. Piers Morgan left fans overjoyed after taking to Twitter to drop a "big announcement" regarding a surprising career move. "[144] Responding to Morgan on Twitter, British comedian Gina Yashere wrote of the broadcaster's "constant racist vitriolic abuse disguised as criticism." "[70], From 13 to 17 April 2015, Morgan guest-hosted five episodes of Good Morning Britain on ITV and became a permanent co-host in November 2015, appearing alongside Susanna Reid and Charlotte Hawkins. Piers went on to host his own talk shows, Life Stories with Piers Morgan, which started in 2011 and is still running today, and Piers Morgan Live, which ran from 2011 to 2014. [94], In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgan wrote a highly critical article of Trump's handling of the crisis in his column for MailOnline. On 5 February, Mock appeared as a guest again to debate the dispute. [58], In 2007, also Morgan appeared as a judge for the second season of America's Got Talent and also appeared as a judge on Britain's Got Talent on ITV, alongside Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell. Controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan has raised eyebrows with a highly questionable list of his top 10 sporting GOATs. [116], On 11 September 2019, Morgan claimed he identified himself as "a two-spirit penguin" in response to a news piece relating to gender neutrality, and said "the world has gone nuts" over gender. Sorry America, I love your Super Bowl king too - but he doesn't make my Top 10 all-time sporting GOATs," read the headline of Morgan's blog. [59], In 2008, Morgan signed a two-year "golden handcuffs" deal with ITV in May, reportedly worth £2 million per year. [95][96][97], In the aftermath of the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Morgan stated that Trump was "mentally unfit" to remain as president. [72], From 2016 to 2017, Morgan interviewed female murderers on the TV series Killer Women with Piers Morgan. The journalist's selection comes in the wake of Tom Brady’s seventh Super Bowl triumph at the ripe old age of 43. [117][118], On 21 January 2020, Morgan was accused of racism and was hit by 1,095 Ofcom complaints[119][120] for his comments relating to a Chinese dairy advert, in which he said "He's using ching chong ching milk". In 1994, aged 29, he was appointed editor of the News of the World by Rupert Murdoch, which made him the youngest editor of a British national newspaper in more than half a century. Piers Stefan Pughe-Morgan (/pɪərs/; born O'Meara; 30 March 1965) is an English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and television personality. [2][3][4] In 2008, he won the seventh season of the US Celebrity Apprentice. [26] Morgan's autobiography The Insider states that he left the News of the World for the Mirror of his own choice. [127], On 4 February 2014, transgender advocate Janet Mock appeared as a guest on Piers Morgan Live to discuss her memoir, Redefining Realness. The "City Slickers" columnists, Anil Bhoyrul and James Hipwell, were both found to have committed further breaches of the Code and were sacked before the inquiry concluded. He presented a three-part television documentary series for the BBC titled The Importance of Being Famous (2003), about fame and the manner in which celebrities are covered by modern media. Cristiano Ronaldo: Juventus wall vs Porto blasted by Jamie Carragher. [134][135] In doing so, Hislop spoke of the history of animosity between himself and Morgan and said that after their exchange on Have I Got News For You (which was shown as a clip), Morgan's reporters were tasked with trying to get gossip on Hislop's private life (including phoning acquaintances of Hislop), and photographers were sent in case Hislop did anything untoward or embarrassing while in their presence. [115] On 22 January 2018, during a story about a homeless SAS veteran, who had a petition set up in his name calling on his local council to provide him with social housing, Morgan had refused to read out Herefordshire Council's statement. My friends think that's not nearly enough. Piers Morgan, who has left his job as a presenter of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, has had a varied career in the media industry. He referred to the role as "editorial overlord and frontman". Hislop also said that Morgan had attempted to quell the feud in an article in The Mail on Sunday, saying, "The war is over. At the age of seventeen he had a master plan for becoming the best known journalist in Britain. The conflict escalated and at one point the host, Angus Deayton, asked if they wished to go outside and have a fight. [149] On the previous programme, after the interview had been broadcast in the US, Morgan said he did not believe anything the Duchess said, including her mental health issues and her assertion she had felt suicidal. Morgan has always denied any involvement in the practice.[112]. [93], During Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom in June 2019, Morgan once again interviewed Trump, this time at the Churchill War Rooms. [65], On 8 September 2010, CNN announced that Morgan would replace Larry King in the network's evening line-up with his show, Piers Morgan Live, beginning on 17 January 2011. "Kelsey Grammer, Piers Morgan: Actor Barred...", President Trump – The Piers Morgan Interview, 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, "Piers Morgan Leaving America's Got Talent", "CNN cancels Piers Morgan Live | CBC News", "Piers Morgan is Larry King's CNN replacement - TODAYshow.com", "Relative unknown wins 'Celebrity Apprentice, "Piers Morgan has been replaced on Good Morning Britain", "Piers Morgan claims over phone hacking branded 'utterly unpersuasive, "Piers Morgan cleared by Ofcom over 950 complaints - but Susanna Reid in trouble", "Piers Morgan escapes censure over Christian homophobe remark", "Piers Morgan leaves ITV's Good Morning Britain after row over Meghan remarks", "Piers Morgan Quits 'Good Morning Britain' Following Meghan Markle Comments", Piers Morgan reference to his father's background, "Wildings & Thurleys, Cantophers & McConnells", "Piers Morgan on Trump, Twitter and the power of prayer", "The rhino in riot gear has a way of coaxing out secrets: PROFILE: Piers Morgan", "SCANDALOUS! Morgan appeared as a celebrity contestant on Comic Relief Does The Apprentice in 2007, to raise money for the BBC charity telethon Comic Relief. Initially an acting editor, he was confirmed in the summer, becoming at 29 the youngest national newspaper editor in more than half a century. Have I taken things a bit too far? Piers Morgan has once again taken aim at the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. [14] With regard to his religious views, Morgan still identifies as a Catholic due to his mother's influence, and believes in an afterlife, but does not "go to Confession, probably because it would take [him] too long". The Brazilian tragically passed away in the middle of his career after an on-track collision. Probably. Morgan has responded by calling Ramsey 'whatshisname'. [27][28][29][30], A £16 million package of investment in the title was rolled out from January, including the dropping of "Daily" from the masthead in February,[31] which was later reversed. Morgan responded that Yashere was being "ridiculous", arguing that the critical responses to the Duchess has "nothing to do with her skin color and everything to do with her being a shameless piece of work doing huge damage to our Royal Family. [104], On 23 May 2012, Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman was a witness at the Leveson Inquiry. "[154] TVGuide reported, "All plans were still a go for the segment until Grammer actually got in the hot seat and saw the footage the producers had planned to peg to the segment, including a picture of his ex-wife". Gemma Collins has thanked her friends and family for “standing by me through the highs and lows” after reflecting on her life and career during Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. On 18 July 2011 Nott was visited by officers of Operation Weeting. At the annual Pride of Britain Awards broadcast on ITV, Morgan chaired a panel of prominent people who had chosen the recipients of the awards from 1999 to 2006. Piers Morgan. [56] The show was dropped after three series reputedly because of poor viewing figures, although the chairman of Channel 4 Luke Johnson was reported not to like the programme. [10][76], In May 2011, Morgan banned actor Hugh Grant from his shows on CNN and ITV after Grant spoke out against the need for the tabloid press. PIERS Morgan has agreed to be in Strictly’s first all-male coupling with pro Giovanni Pernice – after dancing with judge Bruno Tonioli. During his tenure at Good Morning Britain, Morgan was the subject of thousands of complaints to the British watchdog, Ofcom, relating to his comments. The following year, he was criticised in the findings of the Leveson Inquiry by chair Brian Leveson who stated that comments made in Morgan's testimony about phone hacking were "utterly unpersuasive" and "that he was aware that it was taking place in the press as a whole and that he was sufficiently unembarrassed by what was criminal behaviour that he was prepared to joke about it". He also made some interview specials, plus three more documentaries from various countries. He was accused online of using language which is used to antagonise Chinese people and for mocking the Chinese language. Juventus vs Porto: Cristiano Ronaldo's painful 'highlights' from Champions League exit, Juventus 3-2 Porto: Cristiano Ronaldo's mistake for Porto's second goal, Juventus 3-2 Porto: Heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo in crushing Champions League exit, Exclusive: Claire Rafferty tips Chelsea to win Champions League, PSG vs Barcelona: Fans set off fireworks outside Barca hotel at 4am, Man Utd believe they may have Harry Maguire's perfect partner, UWCL: Chelsea look to capitalise on advantage over Atletico Madrid, Erling Haaland says Sevilla goalkeeper Bono ‘cheated’ during interview. "For me, Brady's not even the greatest NFL star of all time – that accolade goes to Joe Montana. [71] Reid often clashed with Morgan, saying of her colleague: "You can't help but go into battle with him every morning". "[7][108], On 6 December 2013, Morgan was interviewed, under caution, by police officers from Operation Weeting investigating phone hacking allegations at Mirror Group Newspapers during his tenure as editor. [131], Morgan appeared as a guest on the BBC satirical news quiz Have I Got News for You in an episode transmitted on 24 May 1996. [122], On 9 March 2021, Ofcom launched an investigation into remarks Morgan made about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's mental health on Good Morning Britain after receiving over 41,015 complaints. [12] His father died when Morgan was 11 months old; his mother later married Glynne Pughe-Morgan,[17][18] a Welsh pub landlord who later worked in the meat distribution business, and he took his stepfather's surname. At birth, Morgan was named Piers Stefan O’Meara, but Morgan’s mother remarried after his father’s death, and Morgan adopted the surname Pugh-Morgan. [82] Morgan interviewed Trump on Good Morning Britain in March 2016. Morgan made known his shocking top … In response to the criticism, Morgan announced Trump had unfollowed him from Twitter. It's my job, Have I Got News for You Episode Guide > Season 11, Episode 6, "Piers Morgan: 'I want to be at the centre of the big stuff, "Piers Morgan: The man with stars in his eyes", "Piers Morgan: 'Do I genuinely feel a pathological hatred of vegan sausage rolls? Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan tore into online racist trolls as he called for harsher punishments and fines for offenders. [1] From 2006 to 2007, he was the editorial director at First News. Piers Morgan has denied that he "hates" Meghan Markle ahead of her explosive sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey this evening - but claimed that he "sees right through her". [84] He refused to do so, despite stating that he disagreed with him on many issues relating to gun control, climate change, abortion, and the "Muslim travel ban", saying that he found the principle of the ban understandable, but disagreed with "the way [Trump] has gone about it". Piers during his time as editor of the Mirror in 2000 (Image: Daily Mirror). [143] Ten days later, he said: "Only surprised it took her so long to get Harry to ditch his family, the monarchy, the military and his country. "[145] In a segment of Good Morning Britain on 13 January,[146] Morgan interviewed Afua Hirsch who accused parts of the British media of behaving in a racist manner towards the Duchess, an interpretation which Morgan said was "completely and grotesquely wrong". Tedious little man. [165], Politically, Morgan identified as a supporter of the Conservative Party in a 1994 interview. Especially his frequent tweets on Arsenal football club, so boring – sample tweet: “I stand 100% behind @MesutOzil1088 – he’s a world class player and will prove it. [7] Morgan's outspoken views and controversial comments on Good Morning Britain led to thousands of complaints to Ofcom. Morgan particularly took issue with Trump's suggestion of looking into "ingesting" disinfectant as a possible solution, describing it as "batshit crazy". After the interview aired, Mock sent a series of tweets criticising Morgan for describing Mock as being "formerly a man". And during the game, Ozil got into a war of words with Arsenal fan, Piers Morgan. He recalled a lunch with the Mirror editor in September 2002 at which Morgan outlined the means of hacking into a mobile phone.