PIERS MORGAN is taking a temporary break from his role as the presenter of UK breakfast news show Good Morning Britain after developing what he describes as a “mild” coronavirus symptom.
The outspoken TV host – whose late father hailed from Galway in Ireland – has stepped back from the programme while he awaits the results of a test for COVID-19, which is due today.
Morgan said in a tweet on Sunday: “On medical advice, and out of an abundance of caution for a mild symptom that arose in the past 48 hours, I’ve had a test for Covid-19 and so won’t be working on Good Morning Britain until I get the result back, which should be tomorrow.”
Fellow ITV presenter Ben Shephard has replaced him alongside Susanna Reid while Morgan waits to see if he will be required to self-isolate for two weeks.
UPDATE: On medical advice, and out of an abundance of caution for a mild symptom that arose in past 48hrs, I’ve had a test for COVID-19 and so won’t be working on @GMB until I get the result back, which should be tomorrow.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 3, 2020
The former newspaper editor has been one of the strongest critics of the UK government’s handling of the coronavirus, clashing with several ministers during heated live interviews.
A recent interview with care minister Helen Whately drew more than 3,000 complaints after Morgan accused Whately of “laughing” while he asked her how many health and care workers have died from the virus.
She later accused him of “shouting at me and not giving me a chance to answer your questions” and “attempting to score points” though Morgan defended his robust approach.
The ITV presenter also drew criticism for his handling of an interview with the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who accused him of constantly interrupting him.
Morgan’s approach has won him plenty of praise on social media though, with many thanking him for taking the British government to task over the way the crisis has played out.
