OFCOM has launched an investigation after receiving 41,000 complaints about Piers Morgan’s comments on Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview.
The media watchdog is probing the remarks made on yesterday's episode of Good Morning Britain.
Follow our Piers Morgan live blog for the very latest news and updates…
The presenter made dismissive comments about Meghan's claims to have had issues with her mental health during the show.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We have launched an investigation into Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules."
Morgan's comments on Monday were criticised by mental health charity Mind.
The organisation previously said in a tweet it was "disappointed and concerned" by Morgan's comments.
It added: "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."
Earlier today a petition to sack Piers Morgan from GMB over his comments about Meghan had amassed more than 88,000 signatures.
The 55-year-old presenter sparked outrage after continuing to slam the former actress, claiming he didn’t believe she was left feeling suicidal.
A series of petitions, which have previously been created calling for Piers to be axed, once again gathered traction on change.org.
The biggest one is not far off its 150k target, while another called for an Ofcom investigation.
It states: “Ofcom needs to investigate Piers Morgan for bullying and racism towards Meghan Markle and countless other subjects on GMB, and they need to also investigate ITV for supporting his disgusting behaviour.”
Piers is however unconcerned by the public’s calls and pointed out that he hasn’t been sacked yet.
He tweeted: “Lots of people on here want me fired for expressing my opinion on the Pinocchio Princess.
“If you want to join them, there are various petitions still doing the rounds from the last few times you've all tried, and failed, to have me fired for saying what I think.”
ITV boss Carolyn McCall addressed the backlash today but refused to deny he would lose his job.
The CEO, who revealed she had very opposing views, said: "We are dealing with that as we speak."
When pushed on if he would be sacked, she said: "I’m not making any comments on this."
She also revealed that Piers has been spoken to by ITV programmer Kevin Lygo.
Speaking on GMB over the last two days, Piers has questioned Meghan following her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In the interview, Meghan told how life as a royal became unbearable and she "didn't want to be alive anymore".
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, said she begged for help but was told she would not be able to seek help as it "wouldn't be good for the institution".
Breaking down in tears during the interview ,which aired on CBS on Sunday night and ITV the following evening, Meghan said: "I just didn't see a solution.
"I didn't want to be alive anymore."
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
But Piers had no sympathy for the pregnant Royal and ranted on the ITV breakfast show: "Who did you go to? What did they say to you?
"I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe a weather report if she read it.
"The fact she has expressed an onslaught against our Royal Family is contemptible."
Today Piers stormed out of the GMB studio after his colleague Alex Beresford's monologue criticising him for continually attacking Meghan.
Alex said he found it "hard to watch" a half hour segment of yesterday's show in which Piers savaged the interview.
Piers didn't like what his co-star had to say, refusing to listen before snapping "I'm not having this" and heading to the studio exit.
He was off-screen for almost 20 minutes, but later returned, slamming Alex for "launching a personal derogatory attack" on someone that he works with.
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