Susanna Reid has addressed Piers Morgan's departure from Good Morning Britain after her co-host of five years chose to leave the show following complaints over his comments about Meghan Markle.
Piers, from Newick, stormed off the show yesterday morning after weather presenter Alex Beresford branded his comments on the Duchess of Sussex "diabolical" and said they were "incredibly hard to watch".
In an interview with renowned talk show host Oprah Winfrey, aired in America in the early hours of Monday, Meghan spoke of her mental health and revealed she had suicidal thoughts as she struggled with life inside the royal family, saying: "I just didn’t want to be alive anymore."
But, appearing on GMB later that morning, Piers said: "I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe her if she read me a weather report."
His comments were criticised by mental health charity Mind, who said it is "vital that when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy".
TV watchdog Ofcom has since launched an investigation into the presenter's comments.
The organisation received more than 41,000 complaints about his remarks on Monday during Good Morning Britain.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We have launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules.”
Appearing on GMB yesterday, Piers clarified some of his comments, saying: "When we talked about this yesterday, I said as an all-encompassing thing I don’t believe what Meghan Markle is saying generally in this interview, and I still have serious concerns about the veracity of a lot of what she said.
"But let me just state on the record my position about mental illness and on suicide. These are clearly extremely serious things that should be taken extremely seriously, and if someone is feeling that way they should get the treatment and help they need every time."
But, yesterday evening, it was confirmed that Piers had quit GMB.
An ITV spokesman said: "Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.
"ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."
His co-host, Susanna Reid, appeared on the show this morning alongside deputy presenter Ranvir Singh.
During the programme, she addressed Piers' departure.
- READ MORE: Piers Morgan quits Good Morning Britain
Speaking to the camera, Susanna said: "A number of people, of course, will know the news, and many of you will not and will be surprised that Piers Morgan is not here this morning.
"Now, Piers and I have disagreed on many things, and that dynamic is one of the things viewers loved about the programme.
"He is, without doubt, an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster. He has many critics and he has many fans.
"You all know that I disagreed with him about Meghan's interview. He himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday.
"There are many voices on GMB and everyone has their say.
"But now Piers has decided to leave the programme. Some of you may cheer and others will boo.
'Shows go on, and so on we go': Good Morning Britain responds to Piers Morgan quitting the show. pic.twitter.com/XMCOPkS7O6
— Chris Rickett (@chrisrickett) March 10, 2021
"He has been my presenting partner, Monday to Wednesday, for more than five years. And, during Brexit and the pandemic, and other issues, he has been a voice for many of you, and a voice that many of you have railed against.
"It is certainly going to be very different, but shows go on and so on we go."
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