causing controversy
Piers Morgan’s most explosive GMB moments as he quits the show after Meghan Markle row
PIERS Morgan is one of the most outspoken people on the telly who always guarantees to entertain - and cause controversial moments.
The 55-year-old's daily rants on Good Morning Britain even sparked a Government boycott of the show last year, with ministers refusing to be interviewed by him for 201 days.
🔵 Follow our Piers Morgan live blog for the latest on his GMB exit...
8
His hard-hitting interview style has seen ratings soar during his five-year stint - whether viewers agree with him or not.
But after the show received 41,000 complaints over his comments on Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview, Piers has quit.
Here we take a look at some of his most complained about moments…
‘Mocking’ Chinese accents
8
In January of this year, Piers was hit with over 1,500 complaints after appearing to mock a Chinese accent on Good Morning Britain.
The presenter was ranting about Princess Anne's son doing an advert for a Chinese diary farm when he said the name of the farm was "ching chong ching".
ITV later defended him saying his comment was "not intended to mock or denigrate Chinese people, their language or accent" but "were intended to mock a member of the Royal Family".
Being cheeky to Carol Voderman
8
Piers came under fire just last week for asking Carol Vorderman if she was going to dress up in a teacher's uniform when she revealed she was launching a “maths school for grown ups”.
He suggestively asked her: "Now you're talking, are you going to wear a mathematical uniform for this?
"One of the ones adults might enjoy, you know Carol?"
While Carol was quick to scold him, he also received 52 Ofcom complaints and will now be investigated by the broadcasting regulator.
The presenter isn’t too worried about the backlash though, and tweeted: “Hate to break it to you, but that’s quite a low number by my usual OFCOM complaint standards.”
Identifying as a penguin
8
In September last year Piers sparked a huge debate when he claimed he identifies as a penguin during a debate on multiple genders.
His tirade came after it was revealed a gay penguin couple had adopted a gender neutral penguin at a London aquarium.
He moaned "the world has gone nuts" over gender adding: "I'm going to say that now I am identifying as a penguin and I demand to be allowed into the penguin enclosure at the aquarium and live with the penguins.”
His comments sparked more than 1,000 Ofcom complaints, which was a record for the show at the time.
Undeterred, Piers said: “Thank you Ofcom, and thank you to those who complained, you have empowered me.”
He was later cleared of breaking the watchdog’s regulations and wasn’t investigated further.
Accusations of 'bullying' a Government Minister
8
In April 2020, Piers was hit with nearly 2,000 Ofcom complaints after an explosive interview with care minister Helen Whately on Good Morning Britain that saw him accused of bullying.
The 55-year-old host ripped into the Conservative MP on Wednesday as she tried to defend why so few people in care homes had been tested amid the coronavirus pandemic.
TV watchdog Ofcom was bombarded with complaints after he accused the minister of talking "utter nonsense" and repeatedly told her to "stop laughing" during the serious interview.
Furious row with Matt Hancock
8
Last month Piers racked up over 47 Ofcom complaints following a screaming match with Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Piers tore into the Cabinet Minister after a heated debate over the outbreak and accused Mr Hancock of not taking the issue seriously.
He screamed “how dare you” as they clashed over the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
His controversial interview style
8
Piers received 12 complaints last week due to his general behaviour towards guests, including Michael Gove.
The GMB host blasted the cabinet minister for wrongly suggesting that kids of divorced parents cannot see both of them during the lockdown.
Mr Gove was later forced to clarify his comments but not before people complained about Piers’ handling of the situation, which many actually thought was fair considering the gaffe.
Just days later he got another 19 complaints, the majority of which "objected to his argumentative behaviour interviewing people".
Swearing live on TV
8
Piers was hit with eight Ofcom complaints on March 30 after saying “b***end” live on the show as he read out a rude birthday card from pal Vinnie Jones.
Reading the message, he said: “Happy birthday you total legend. And in smaller writing I meant total b***end.”
However, it didn’t sit too well with co-star Charlotte, who said: “Can you say that on live TV?
Most read in Celebrity
“I apologise on Piers’s behalf to anyone offended.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It prompted Piers to groan: “Are we still getting offended by stuff?
“I’m sorry for anyone who was offended.”
Piers Morgan horrifies Susanna Reid by mocking Chinese language on Good Morning Britain
Topics