Lord Sugar reignites row with Piers Morgan as he questions how GMB host can get coronavirus test faster than NHS workers
LORD Alan Sugar has reignited his bitter feud with Piers Morgan by questioning how the presenter was able to get a coronavirus test faster than NHS workers.
The Good Morning Britain host was forced to pull out of the ITV show this morning after suffering a coronavirus symptom.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
He revealed yesterday: "UPDATE: On medical advice, and out of an abundance of caution for a mild symptom that arose in past 48hrs, I’ve had a test for COVID-19 and so won’t be working on @GMB until I get the result back, which should be tomorrow."
The tweet left Lord Sugar questioning exactly how Piers had managed to get the virus test so quickly - and before NHS frontline staff.
Taking to Twitter, the 73-year-old Apprentice star said: "How did @piersmorgan get a test when so many front line workers are unable.
"He would be crowing from the roof top if it was another celebrity.";
Although early on in the crisis NHS staff were struggling to get tested for the bug, testing capacity has been massively ramped up as the government pushed to meet its target of 100,o0o a day.
From Wednesday, testing will be available to all frontline workers in health and social care, even if they are not displaying symptoms.
Testing will also be expanded to NHS patients and residents in care homes regardless of whether they have symptoms.
It is not known if Piers had a private test or an NHS one, but he would qualify for testing because he had symptoms, and is unable to do his GMB job from home. As a journalist he also has key worker status.
The pair recently declared all out war on each other amid the Covid-19 outbreak, with Piers, 55, branding his rival a "disgrace" and going as far as to block him on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Lord Sugar accused his "former friend" of "exploiting this pandemic for his own gain".
From there, the pair have slammed each other over their views on sunbathers, with Lord Sugar claiming there's no danger if people remain far apart.
Speaking to The Sun’s Executive Editor Dan Wootton during his talkRADIO drivetime last month, Lord Sugar said: "What’s going on is that I am tired of the tactics he is using to just big himself up, to give himself a name, to become a martyr.
“To become the new Florence Nightingale of Britain. It is so transparent it is untrue.
“And he keeps hacking away at the government.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
most read tv & showbiz
“I wouldn’t mind but no one takes a blind but of notice of him other than gullible members of the public who go along and say, ‘Yeah, you’re right Piers.’”
Piers and Lord Sugar's rivalry really began in 2007 when Piers took part in Comic Relief Does The Apprentice - and was promptly fired by the businessman.