Entertainment
BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker speaks out over Piers Morgan rivalry: ‘There’s a decent bloke fighting to get out’
BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker has spoken out over his rivalry with Piers Morgan – declaring there’s ‘a decent bloke fighting to get out’ of him.
Good Morning Britain host Piers sensationally quit his position earlier this month over a clash about Meghan Markle, with the presenter taking centre stage in a row about racism when he said he ‘didn’t believe a word she said’.
This included Meghan’s claims to Oprah that a senior member of the Royal family ‘expressed concern about baby Archie’s skin colour’, and that she felt ‘suicidal’ during the pressure put on her as part of the monarchy.
Over the past five years, Dan and Piers have repeatedly made jabs at each other, including following Meghan’s interview, as their competing shows clashed in a continuous ratings war which are on at the same time.
But Dan has now spoken out about his rival, and while he doesn’t agree with the controversial host’s methods, believes Piers has his heart in the right place.
Speaking to The Times, Dan said: ‘Piers [Morgan] and I have had a friendly rivalry, but it has been good for BBC Breakfast and GMB.
‘He likes to throw a few insults around, but underneath all the froth I think there is a decent bloke fighting to get out.
‘They are very different programmes and I’ve always said GMB do a good job.’
‘Our styles are very different, but the idea that you’ve not done a good job unless you demand resignations and rant at the interviewee is laughable,’ he continued.
‘I don’t want you to know my opinion. I have no problem being seen as the more measured presenter.’
Good Morning Britain finally beat BBC Breakfast in the ratings on Piers’s final day on air – where he walked off set following a clash with Alex Beresford.
Piers has since spoken out about his decision to leave, including the fallout surrounding his statements about Meghan, in a Daily Mail published diary covering the past fortnight.
In the section dated March 10, he wrote: ‘Good Morning Britain smashed our ratings record again yesterday, and we finally beat BBC Breakfast for the first time.
‘When I joined GMB in 2015, the BBC got three times our ratings and nobody apart from me ever thought we’d eclipse them.
‘Well, we did, on my very last day. And it’s one of my proudest achievements.’
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays from 6am on BBC One.
Got A Story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Piers Morgan reveals police are investigating death threat against him and son Spencer
MORE : Piers Morgan declares ‘cancel the cancel culture before it kills our culture’