Piers Morgan can’t be replaced by a single person on Good Morning Britain, one of ITV’s top bosses has claimed.
The broadcaster’s director of television, Kevin Lygo, indicated the breakfast show will continue with its current presenting line-up, following Piers’ high-profile departure last month.
The presenter left GMB on 9 March, following controversial comments he made about Meghan Markle live on air after her US TV interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Speaking to Deadline about the task of replacing him, Kevin said: “Piers is a special thing. You can’t replace somebody like him. There is nobody like Piers, for good or bad.
“We have a roster of presenters, including Ben (Shephard), Susanna (Reid), Charlotte (Hawkins) and Kate (Garraway).
“They’re all stepping up and doing a few more days than they would have done.
“We’ll mix and match until we feel what the right thing is to do. There isn’t a single person (who can replace him).”
Kevin joked he was “amazed” the former tabloid editor had remained on GMB for so long and said they had shared a “good innings”.
He also insisted relations between Piers and ITV, which also broadcasts his Life Stories interview series, remain positive.
He said: “Half the world wanted Piers dead and half the world wanted a statue erected in his favour. You need to tread a diplomatic line.
“Piers felt he was doing the right thing, felt very strongly about it, and we just felt it wasn’t quite compatible with some of the things we’re involved with. It was an amicable split.”
Piers departed GMB after nearly six years, after he cast doubt on Meghan’s revelation during her interview that she had experienced suicidal thoughts after joining the Royal Family.
Ofcom later confirmed it would be launching an investigation under its harm and offence rules after over 40,000 complaints were made – a figure that has since grown to over 57,000, making it the most complained-about incident in Ofcom history.
It was reported the Duchess also complained to both ITV and Ofcom over Piers’ remarks.
Just hours before Piers’ exit, he also made headlines when he stormed off set during a row about the Duchess with colleague Alex Beresford – something Piers later admitted he regretted doing.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.