Dermot O’Leary shocked at Prince William’s ‘unprecedented’ statement on Martin Bashir’s BBC Princess Diana interview

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Dermot O’Leary was left surprised by Prince William’s statement on Martin Bashir’s BBC interview with Princess Diana, describing it as ‘unprecedented’.

The Duke of Cambridge issued a video message after a BBC investigation found that Bashir used ‘deceitful behaviour’ to secure his 1995 interview with the late royal.

‘It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC’s failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her,’ William said.

‘But what saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived.

‘She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions.’

Asking royal correspondents on This Morning about the statement, Dermot said: ‘It’s tough stuff.’

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He added: ‘This is certainly heartbreaking but it seems to me it’s almost unprecedented for the future King of England to come out and say something like this.’

Royal reporter Camilla Tominey agreed, saying: ‘He has made the punchiest statement there.’

She went on to say that the results of the Lord Dyson report are ‘hugely damning for the national broadcaster.’

Prince Harry also issued his own statement, saying: ‘Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed.

‘By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life. Let’s remember who she was and what she stood for.’

The conversation later turned to Prince Harry’s new documentary, which saw him open up about struggling with alcohol and drugs following Princess Diana’s death.

Host Alison Hammond was quick to praise the Duke Of Sussex, saying: ‘We do need that change…I like the fact that he’s open, I really do.’

Dermot agreed, simply adding: ‘Definitely.’

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.

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