Piers Morgan Pulls Out Of Hosting 'Royal Television Society' Awards After Backlash

Trump supporter says he was a 'distraction'.
Piers Morgan: “Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice."
Piers Morgan: “Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice."
Fred Duval via Getty Images

Piers Morgan has pulled out of hosting a television awards ceremony following a social media backlash over the “inappropriate” choice for the job.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, who has drawn criticism for his support of US President Donald Trump, was lined up to host the Royal Television Society (RTS) awards, a celebration of British television.

We are thrilled to announce the host for the RTS Programme Awards will be @GMB's @piersmorgan https://t.co/njmVLN74jA pic.twitter.com/NjeArylcYt

— RTS (@RTS_media) February 16, 2017

After a petition to stop him from presenting was started and criticism on Twitter, the ex-newspaper editor announced he was standing down so not to be a “distraction”.

UPDATE: I'm withdrawing as host of the @RTS_media Programme Awards. Full statement on my Facebook page:https://t.co/yk7rB33vGO

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 19, 2017

“I was recently invited to host the Royal Television Society Programme Awards.

“As someone who has worked in British and American television for most of this Millennium, on a variety of shows, I thought it might be fun and agreed to do it without any fee.

“After my role was announced, a campaign was started to have me banned.

“It suggested that I lack the ‘creative excellence’ criteria required for presenting such an event and therefore my presence would be ‘damaging’ and ‘inappropriate’.

“Further, I have ‘failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice.’

“Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice.

“I have no wish to serve as an unnecessary distraction from award winners whose hard work and skill should be celebrated without any of the silly noise this campaign has generated.

“So, I am now withdrawing from hosting the evening.

“Good luck to everyone who has been nominated.”

Here is some of the criticism ...

WTF? https://t.co/h6baO2Krr9

— Adrian Lester (@AdrianLester) February 18, 2017

Well said. @RTS_media is supposed to be an educational charity! Not promoting Piers Morgan style celeb intrusion https://t.co/WTLOBeOzlX

— Peter Jukes (@peterjukes) February 19, 2017

Piers Morgan should NOT be hosting Royal Television Society Programme Awards. - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/VFn2PpIywu via @UKChange

— StevenNott (@StevenNott) February 19, 2017

Looks like @RTS_media's decision to book @piersmorgan as its awards host has gone down well. pic.twitter.com/X8pOUMGT1S

— Jake Kanter (@Jake_Kanter) February 16, 2017

But he had support from his GMB co-host, Susanna Reid.

There's a lot that @piersmorgan and I disagree on. But as someone who knows what a very good presenter he is, I think this is a real shame. https://t.co/GB5aclINMd

— Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) February 19, 2017

Last week, JK Rowling and Morgan engaged in a furious exchange on Twitter after the Harry Potter author confessed she enjoyed watching the broadcaster being told to “f*ck off” on American television.

Rowling joined thousands on Twitter in delighting at comedian Jim Jefferies’ jibe at Morgan on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ as he defended Trump.

Trump and Morgan became friends when the ex-Daily Mirror editor won the celebrity version of The Apprentice.

Morgan has underlined their closeness when he told The Sun on Sunday recently: “He calls me ‘Champ’ because I won Celebrity Apprentice. It’s cool having the US President call you Champ.”

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