'Do I get my job back?': ITV has no plans for Morgan to return despite Ofcom clearance

1 September 2021, 10:37 | Updated: 1 September 2021, 21:17

ITV has no plans for Piers Morgan to return to Good Morning Britain, despite Ofcom ruling the presenter was not in breach of the broadcasting code over his Meghan Markle comments.

The journalist and television presenter had asked whether he would get his job back after Ofcom ruled that his comments on the show about the Duchess of Sussex were not in breach of the broadcasting code.

Despite the fact ITV say there are no plans to bring Mr Morgan back, he has said the number of job offers he has received "accelerated" after following Ofcom's ruling.

Speaking outside his London home on Wednesday, he said he would make a decision "quite soon" about where his next job will be.

He added: "I have had loads of offers and they have accelerated in the last 10 hours, as you can imagine, and I will take my free speech campaign around the world and all I require is to have an employer who believes in it as passionately as I do."

Ofcom said Piers Morgan's comments on the Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey were "potentially harmful and offensive" but ruled Good Morning Britain was not in breach of the broadcasting code.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "This was a finely-balanced decision. Mr Morgan's comments were potentially harmful and offensive to viewers, and we recognise the strong public reaction to them. But we also took full account of freedom of expression.

Read more: Royal racism rift reignited between Harry and Meghan and the Queen

"Under our rules, broadcasters can include controversial opinions as part of legitimate debate in the public interest, and the strong challenge to Mr Morgan from other contributors provided important context for viewers.

"Nonetheless, we've reminded ITV to take greater care around content discussing mental health and suicide in future. ITV might consider the use of timely warnings or signposting of support services to ensure viewers are properly protected."

Morgan shared the ruling on Twitter, saying he was "delighted" by the decision, which was a "resounding victory for free speech".

He then asked: "Do I get my job back?"

It is understood that, while Morgan will not be invited back to host Good Morning, ITV will continue to work with him on his celebrity interview programme Piers Morgan's Life Stories.

Following his comments about the royal couple, Morgan left Good Morning Britain instead of apologising as he had been asked.

The episode on 8 March became the most complained about moment in the watchdog's history and it emerged that Meghan had made a formal complaint to ITV about Morgan.

After a clip aired of the Duchess of Sussex discussing her issues with mental health and suicidal thoughts and royal official's knowledge of them, 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."

His comments were also criticised by mental health charity Mind.

Read more: Royals feared Meghan would 'create spectacle' after Prince Philip's death, book claims

Piers Morgan cleared of breaching ofcom codes

A statement from ITV at the time 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."

The presenter had also stormed off the set of the news programme following a heated discussion with his colleague, Alex Beresford, over the TV interview.