Following the furore of him saying on national television that he didn't believe a word the Duchess of Sussex told US chat show doyen, Oprah Winfrey, British television presenter Piers Morgan left his post on ITV's Good Morning Britain following a row over the comments.
ITV announced the decision after Ofcom said it was investigating his comments after receiving 41,000 complaints. The channel confirmed his departure, which took place with immediate effect.
An ITV spokesperson 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 departure followed an on-air clash with weather presenter Alex Beresford, who criticised him for continuing to trash the Duchess, which prompted the controversial presenter to walk off set - before returning shortly after.
Explaining his problem with Piers' comments about the Duchess, Alex said: "I understand that you don't like Meghan Markle.
"You've made it clear a number of times on this programme, a number of times, and I understand that you've got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or that you had one and she cut you off.
"She's entitled to cut you off if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has, but yet you continue to trash her." Following his exit, Alex then said: "You know what, that's pathetic. This is absolutely diabolical behaviour. I'm sorry, but Piers spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit there and listen.”
ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall said she completely believed what the Duchess said and added that the channel is totally committed to mental health.
Mental health charity Mind, which is a partner with ITV on its Britain Get Talking campaign, also criticised Morgan, saying that it was disappointed by the presenter's comments.
Referring to Meghan as the "Pinocchio Princess" in a tweet, he bombarded the Duchesses mental wellbeing, overwhelmingly criticising her with; "Who did you go to?" "What did they say to you? I'm sorry, I don't believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe it if she read me a weather report.
"The fact that she's fired up this onslaught against our Royal Family I think is contemptible."
He added: "My real concern was a disbelief frankly... that she went to a senior member of the Royal household and told them she was suicidal and was told she could not have any help because it would be a bad look for the family."
A total of 41,015 complaints were made to media watchdog Ofcom - the second highest number of complaints in Ofcom's 17-year history.
Following Morgan’s outburst, Mind tweeted: "We were disappointed and concerned to see Piers Morgan's comments on not believing Meghan's experiences about suicidal thoughts.
"It's vital that when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health that they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy.
“We are in conversations with ITV about this at the moment."
