Amanda Holden backs ‘good and loyal friend’ Piers Morgan after reports he’s returning to BGT

AMANDA Holden has come out in support of her friend Piers Morgan days after he quit Good Morning Britain.

The radio host described the 55-year-old as "Marmite" and insisted they don't always share the same opinion - but called him a "good and loyal friend".

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The 50-year-old star shared a throwback snap from when the two families holidayed together in the South of France last July.

Amanda wrote: "We've both been described as Marmite in our time.

"I don't always share the same opinions as him. But my goodness he's a good and loyal friend. Always there for each other."

Last week Piers met up with TV doyen Simon Cowell, who gave him his first break on primetime TV as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

While the hit talent show remains an ITV product, Cowell owns the series rights, and to this end, what he says goes.

Last night a source close to Simon said: “During their three- hour walk, Piers and Simon discussed the possibility of working together, and the hope is that Piers will come on board. The format needs shaking up, and obviously Piers has form with this.”

The TV star previously revealed that he had been asked by BGT bosses to return to the ITV talent competition after Simon Cowell broke his back and was unable to film the semi-finals.

The outspoken star was previously a judge on the show from its first series up until 2010 as well as appearing on the American version.

At the time, a source told The Sun: “Britain’s Got Talent is one of the few Saturday night shows which continues to shine and stay relevant.

“But all shows need refreshing, and Piers will certainly do that. He has been approached by two senior execs and, for his part, has said he would do it if the terms are right.

“He will give the show back its edge and provide those brilliant water cooler moments. He will revitalise the series.” 

Piers dramatically quit the ITV show on Tuesday after bosses asked him to publicly apologise under the pressure of more than 41,000 Ofcom complaints.

The TV host resigned after senior execs said they wanted him to say sorry on air following his heated clash with the show’s weatherman Alex Beresford, 40, over Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Piers stormed off set during the huge row with his GMB co-star on Tuesday morning after Alex criticised for his reaction to Meghan's claims she contemplated suicide and was racially abused by the royal family.

But Piers said he was not willing to apologise, and walked — bringing an immediate end to his six-year stint on the morning show.

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom revealed on Tuesday they had received 41,015 complaints about Monday’s episode of the show, prompting them to launch an investigation under their “harm and offence rules”.

Senior execs at the broadcaster were also concerned that his comments clashed with their landmark mental health campaign Get Britain Talking - prompting criticism from charity Mind.

An ITV source said: “Piers was not going to back down.

“He was asked to make an apology but refused. He says he is entitled to his opinion and is always going to stand by it.

“When he refused to apologise, there was a stand-off. And ultimately it ended with him telling producers he would not host the show anymore.

“His contract was coming to an end this year anyway, but he said he wouldn’t do the job unless it was on his terms.

“The growing pressure from building Ofcom complaints and a swell of anger on social media gave bosses no choice but to try and get him to apologise.

“Unfortunately there were also a lot of concerns raised with the GMB production team too.

“Charity Mind also expressed their concerns to senior execs at ITV saying it clashes with their campaign.”