Piers Morgan stands by Meghan comments as GMB stars say 'show goes on' without him

Piers Morgan has spoken out for the first time since his dramatic exit from Good Morning Britain after row over remarks about Meghan Markle.

The controversial host posted a tweet moments after this morning's breakfast show started without him.

Alongside a quote from Winston Churchill referencing free speech, Morgan said: "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."

Morgan left his role with ITV last night just hours after stomping off set following a row with co-presenter Alex Beresford over comments he had made about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan said she felt like she "didn't want to be alive any more" during an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Yet, on Monday's GMB, Morgan said he "didn't believe a word" of it.

According to reports last night, ITV said in a statement that it had held talks with Morgan and that he "decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain".

It said: "ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."

Ranvir Singh stood-in for Morgan on today's progamme alongside regular co-host Susanna Reid.

And they quickly addressed the star's shock exit.

Susanna said: "A number of people, of course, will know the news. And many of you will not and will be surprised that Piers Morgan is not here this morning.

"Now, Piers and I have disagreed on many things, and that dynamic was one of the things that viewers loved about the programme. He is, without doubt, an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster. He has many critics and he has many fans.

"You will know that I disagreed with him about Meghan Markle’s interview. He himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday.

"There are many voices on GMB and everyone has their say. But now Piers has decided to leave the programme. Some of you may cheer, and others will boo.

"He has been my presenting partner, Monday to Wednesday, for more than five years, and during Brexit and the pandemic and other issues, he has been a voice for many of you, and a voice that many of you have railed against.

"It is certainly going to be very different. But show's go on. And so, on we go."

Ranvir added: "Well said, that can't have been easy, its not easy, is it?

"You know, he is a big character and lots of people have got in touch to say you know 'This was always on the cards', people are glad that he's gone, many viewers will be absolutely gutted this morning.

"People want to know what he thinks, and people like to hear whether they agree with him or not."