Entertainment
Piers Morgan lashes out at ‘fraud’ Sheryl Underwood as The Talk returns after Sharon Osbourne’s exit
Piers Morgan had a lot on his mind as The Talk returned to the air for the first time since Sharon Osbourne’s exit.
Sharon walked away from the American programme after a race-related on-air clash with co-star Sheryl Underwood on March 10. The show was then pulled from the air.
The former X Factor star came under fire for defending Piers’ ‘freedom of speech’ in relation to his comments about Meghan Markle’s mental health and in turn, the former Good Morning Britain star stuck up for his friend amid backlash.
On Monday’s episode, Sheryl shared a message with viewers about ‘healing’ before the show began, as she revealed the remaining panel would have a frank discussion about their feelings.
Piers was tuning in from home and made his feelings clear about Sheryl’s message.
‘What a shameless fraud’, he tweeted adding a vomiting emoji.
Speaking backstage on the set, Sheryl explained: ‘It’s time for an episode of The Talk that will be unlike any other we’ve had before.
‘As you may know, during our break, Sharon decided to leave The Talk. We need to process the events of that day and what happened since, so we can get to the healing.’
She continued: ‘Over the next hour, we will honestly discuss what occurred and explore some of our feelings. And we’ll also show you how anyone can become more comfortable discussing important issues and having difficult conversations.
‘By the end of the hour, we want everyone to feel empowered and ready to move forward.’
Before Sharon’s exit, the outspoken star tried to defend Piers, saying: ‘I very much feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist? What does it gotta do with me?’
Getting increasingly emotional, she shouted: ‘I will ask you again Sheryl, I’ve been asking you during the break and I’m asking you again, and don’t try and cry ‘cause if anyone should be crying it should be me. Educate me. Tell me when you have heard him say racist things.’
Underwood explained: ‘It is not the exact words of racism, it’s the implication and the reaction to it.
‘To not want to address that because she is a Black woman, and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is that’s what makes it racist.
‘But right now, I’m talking to a woman I believe is my friend and I don’t want anybody here to watch this and think we are attacking you for being racist.’
Sharon, 68, later faced allegations of racism against her former co-stars which she has strenuously denied.
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 : Too Close on ITV: Cast, time and how many episodes are there?
