Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan was jokingly taken off the air earlier today after engaging in an odd war of words with his TV director.
Piers, 54, goaded show staff and dared them to pull him from TV screens after insisting he is the biggest draw for viewers.
Squaring up to the director after a sound effect was heard reportedly saying “boring” during the weather report, Piers made noises about giving the telly boss a ticking off – and hinted he is really in charge of the show.
“It’s the trouble with the director, he is going a bit rogue. Lashing out at our meteorologist expert – we need to put him back in his box,” Piers grumbled.
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Co-host Susanna Reid piped up: “He’s the one in control, that’s the issue.”
“He thinks he is. He thinks he is,” Piers replied, before deciding to test the limits of his bosses’ patience.
Daring the director to cut away from him for 20 seconds, Piers scoffed: “See how many ratings you get with your test card.”
“You see, no power. He doesn’t dare do it,” he continued when there was no immediate response.
He blinked. https://t.co/bd2Nfcxx3Y
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 2, 2019
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But when a ‘Technical Difficulties’ test card was shown, Piers smugly sat tight and needled those pulling the strings behind the scenes.
He sneered: “Leave it up for another 20 seconds, go on. See how difficult this gets.
“Go on, go on… Leave it up there… Now you’re actively costing us viewers.”
Moments later the director apparently backed down – and Piers revelled in his win.
“You blinked,” he gloated.
“You see? There you go, how long was that for? 12 seconds before you blinked. Pathetic, utterly gutless.”
“He knows which side his bread is buttered,” added Susanna.
Who *really* runs the show – Piers or our Director?@piersmorgan | @errongordon pic.twitter.com/VMtWzPCnC0
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) April 2, 2019
Viewers on social media seemed to be unsure what they watching – or why the stunt was being broadcast on TV.
“The test card was so much better,” complained one Twitter user.
“I find him hard work to watch sometimes. He doesn’t stop going on and on,” tweeted another.
A third ranted: “Get Piers off the show, it’s actually embarrassing to watch. He’s arrogant and rude! But seems to get away with it time and time again.”
– Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am
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