Piers Morgan’s Meghan comments break Ofcom complaints record

Comments made by former Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan about Meghan Markle have become the most complained about TV moments, new Ofcom stats show.

Morgan left the show after the broadcast regulator received tens-of-thousands of complaints about his remarks following the Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Meghan herself complained to Ofcom, concerned about how Morgan’s comments may affect those suffering from mental ill-health.

GMB received 57,121 complaints for broadcasts on March 8 and 9, topping the previously most complained about TV moment by more than thousands.

Ofcom received just over 44,500 complaints about a broadcast of Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, regarding the “bullying” treatment of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty by Jade Goody and Danielle Lloyd.

During the Duke and Duchess’ interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was broadcast on STV on Monday, March 8, Meghan said there were times that she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore”.

She also said a member of Harry’s family had asked “how dark” their son Archie’s skin might be before his birth.

Morgan said: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says. I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.”

He left the GMB set after getting into an on-air row with colleague Alex Beresford who said his comments were “diabolical”.

Speaking outside his home in London on March 10, the 55-year-old Morgan said: “I think it’s fair to say, although the woke crowd will think that they’ve cancelled me, I think they will be rather disappointed when I re-emerge.

“I would call it a temporary hibernation.”

Ofcom has launched an investigation into the broadcasts under its harm and offence rules.