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Piers Morgan has described how he was 'delighted' that Ofcom has ruled in his favour following his opinions about Meghan Markle on Good Morning Britain.
The Life Stories host, 56, made Ofcom history after his rants about the Duchess of Sussex became the most complained about moment on TV with a total of 57,121 complaints.
Meghan, 40, was amongst those who complained to the regulator about Piers' comments with the former GMB host sensationally stepping down as a presenter on the ITV show in March after six years.
But what did Piers say about Meghan and what have Ofcom ruled? Let's take a look…
What did Piers Morgan say about Meghan Markle on GMB?
Piers slammed the Duchess of Sussex throughout Monday 8 March’s episode of GMB, and claimed he 'didn’t believe' any of the claims in her interview with Oprah.
During the candid chat, Meghan claimed that she was refused help by 'the institution' when she revealed she had been suffering with suicidal thoughts.
Reacting to Meghan’s claims, Piers said on GMB: “Who did you go to? What did they say to you?
“I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe a weather report if she read it.
“The fact she has expressed an onslaught against our Royal Family is contemptible.”
After it was revealed that ITV had spoken to Piers, the journalist clarified that his remarks were not aimed at Meghan’s mental health struggle.
He said: “It’s not for me to question, whether she felt suicidal – I wasn’t in her mind and that’s for her to say. My real concern was a disbelief, frankly – and I’m prepared to be proven wrong for this and if I’m wrong then this is a scandal.
“That she went to a senior member of the royal household, told them she was suicidal and was told she couldn’t have any help because it would be a bad look for the family.”
His continuous rants were criticised by his GMB colleague Alex Beresford on Tuesday 9 March which caused Piers to storm off the set.
Alex told Piers: “I understand that you don't like Meghan Markle, you have made it so clear a number of times on this programme. I understand that you had a personal relationship with Meghan Markle and she cut you off, she's entitled to cut you off if she wants to.
“Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has, but you continue to trash her…” before Piers cut him off.
Launching out of his seat, Piers said: “Okay, I'm done with this. No, sorry, see you later,” as he walked off set. Hours later, Piers' decision to leave GMB was announced by ITV.
The day later, Piers claimed he still didn't believe Meghan's remarks in the interview. He tweeted: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview.
“I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. If you did, OK.
“Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.”
What did ITV say following Piers Morgan's decision to leave GMB?
In a statement, ITV 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."
What did Ofcom rule?
The ruling from the regulatory body reads: "The interview between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey contained serious allegations and it was legitimate for this Programme to discuss and scrutinise those claims including their veracity.
"Ofcom is clear that, consistent with freedom of expression, Mr Morgan was entitled to say be disbelieved the Duke and Duchess' allegations and to told and express strong views that rigorously challenged their account.
"The Code allows for individuals to express strongly held and robustly argued views, including those that are potentially harmful or highly offensive, and for broadcasters to include these in their programming.
"The restriction of such views would, in our view, be an unwarranted and chilling restriction on freedom of expression both of the broadcaster and the audience."
Piers soon celebrated the ruling as he wrote on his Twitter page: "I’m delighted OFCOM has endorsed my right to disbelieve the Duke & Duchess of Sussex’s incendiary claims to Oprah Winfrey, many of which have proven to be untrue.
"This is a resounding victory for free speech and a resounding defeat for Princess Pinocchios."
He then ended the tweet by asking: "Do I get my job back?"
When did Piers Morgan first meet Meghan Markle?
Piers appeared on The Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy in 2015 where he described how he followed four of the stars of the American legal drama Suits, where Meghan played Rachel Zane, on Twitter before he claimed to receive a message from the actress.
The former GMB presenter claimed the message from around 2012, said: “Hey I am a big fan, so excited you are following me.”
“And then another guy in Suits he plays another character – he got involved too. We corresponded quite regularly on Twitter, publicly and privately, she began sending me early episodes of Suits," Piers claimed.
He continued: “She would email me from places like Rwanda – I thought we had a good sort of friendship.”
Piers claimed Meghan messaged him to say she was coming to London to watch American tennis star Serena Williams.
The Life Stories star revealed how he then invited her to his local Kensington pub for a drink while she was in London.
“She came to my local pub in Kensington – ironically about half a mile from Kensington Palace, where she now lives, nobody knew who she was," Piers explained.
He continued: “In walks Meghan Markle like a million dollars – they didn’t know who she was but thought she was something special.”
Piers described how he and Meghan had two hours in the pub where she ordered “a couple of dirty martinis” and he told how the pair “got on brilliantly”.
“And then I put her in a cab and it turned out to be a cab which took her to a party where she met Prince Harry," he claimed.
“The next night they had a solo dinner together and that was the last I heard of Meghan Markle.”
Meghan and Harry allegedly shared a first date at Dean Street Townhouse in 2016 – one of the Soho House-owned private members clubs in London.
Laughing, he claimed: “And I have never heard from her again!”
Piers continued: “I really liked her – I just think she is a slight social climber I am afraid.”
“I didn’t really like being ghosted like that I thought it was kind of a strange thing to do.”
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