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Piers Morgan attacks CBS for dropping The Talk during investigation into Sharon Osbourne’s tearful defense of ex-GMB host

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Piers Morgan has hit out at CBS for pulling US chat show The Talk during an investigation into Sharon Osbourne’s defense of the former Good Morning Britain presenter.

The former X Factor judge clashed with co-star Sheryl Underwood during a debate about Piers’ remarks accusing Meghan Marke of lying about her previous suicidal thoughts and race issues within the Royal Family.

Sharon became tearful as she defended Piers, shouting at Sheryl and demanding to be ‘educated’ about race.

CBS subsequently announced it will not air The Talk on Monday or Tuesday this week while it investigates the row internally.

Piers, however, has slammed the broadcaster, tweeting: ‘So @CBS has yanked The Talk off air while it investigates the ‘scandal’ of @MrsSOsbourne defending me when @sherylunderwood said I was “racist” for disbelieving Meghan Markle.

‘The REAL scandal is me being branded a racist for refusing to believe a liar.’

Piers Morgan tweet
Piers Morgan has slammed cancellation of The Talk (Picture: Twitter)
Sharon Osbourne backlash - worth seeing if any major names speaking out about her
Sheryl and Sharon clashed on The Talk (Picture: CBS)

During the row with Sheryl, Sharon snapped: ‘Did I like everything he said? Did I agree with what he said? No. 

‘Because it’s his opinion. It’s not my opinion… I support him for his freedom of speech, and he’s my friend. I’m not racist… I don’t care what colour or what religion anyone is. Are you a nice person? That’s what I judge you on.’

Sheryl hit back: ‘What would you say to people who may feel that while you’re standing by your friend, it appears you gave validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don’t agree?’ 

Meghan Markle opens up and begins to get tearful during Oprah interview
Piers refused to believe Meghan Markle’s mental health battle (Picture: ITV)

Sharon challenged: ‘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?’

Emotions continued to soar, as Sharon became tearful and said: ‘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.’ 

Television Programmes: Piers Morgan?s Life Stories. PICTURE SHOWS - PIERS MORGAN interviewing SHARON OSBOURNE. Having interviewed some of the world s best-known names, Piers Morgan turns his hand to his very own biographical talk show, in which he will grill some of the biggest celebrity names about their amazing lives. He will ask the questions that others don t dare ask and get the answers that audiences really want to hear. Filmed in front of a studio audience, each programme will be devoted to one special celebrity guest, and the interviews will be intimate, in-depth and emotionally-charged as Piers lays bare his subjects life stories over a revealing hour. FROM ITV - THIS PICTURE IS EMBARGOED UNTIL ON/AFTER TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2009 PIERS MORGAN'S LIFE STORIES on Sunday 22 February 2009 This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com For further information contact Shane Chapman on 0207 157 3043 or email shane.chapman@itv.com
Sharon Osbourne fiercely defended Piers after his comments (Picture: ITV/ Neil Genower)

In a statement released on Friday, a CBS spokesperson said: ‘We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. 

‘All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal review.’ 

After refusing to believe Meghan suffered a life-threatening battle with her mental health, Piers quit Good Morning Britain as conversations with ITV collapsed.

More than 41,000 people complained to Ofcom over his remarks, with Meghan and Prince Harry said to have filed their own complained to the TV watchdog too.

The Talk will return to CBS on Wednesday.

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