Alex Beresford says he 'didn't want' Piers Morgan to quit 'Good Morning Britain'

Watch: Alex Beresford 'didn't want Piers Morgan to quit GMB

Good Morning Britain presenter Alex Beresford has said he "didn't want" colleague Piers Morgan to quit the show after they clashed during a discussion about Meghan Markle.

Morgan sensationally stormed off the set on Tuesday after a heated debate which saw Beresford label his behaviour "diabolical".

It was then announced that Morgan had decided to leave GMB.

Beresford addressed the news on Thursday afternoon, sharing a lengthy statement on Twitter.

Read more: Susanna Reid sits out GMB after Piers' exit

It read: “There is so much that could be said. Piers’s departure sincerely wasn’t the conclusion I was hoping for.

“Over the last few years, Piers and I have had a lively, cheeky on-air relationship. We both wanted to be on the show Tuesday morning, and from our very public conversations on Twitter, we both knew how strongly our opinions differed on the treatment of Harry and Meghan pre and post the interview that has split the world.

“I hoped we could reach a place of understanding. It’s sad that we weren’t able to get there, but challenging his opinion was not an outrage. On this occasion, we have to agree to disagree.

“I didn’t want him to quit, but I did want him to listen.

“Personally, Piers has always supported my growth. He’s given me advice on several occasions and for that I am grateful. I wish him well!”

Morgan's clash with Beresford and subsequent GMB exit came after Ofcom launched an investigation into comments he made about the Duchess of Sussex during Monday's show.

During a segment about Markle's Oprah Winfrey interview, he told viewers: "If people want to believe Meghan Markle, that's entirely their right.

"I don't believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and I think the damage she's done to the British monarchy and to the Queen at a time when Prince Philip is lying in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible."

His remarks sparked more than 41,000 complaints with Markle herself also reportedly lodging a grievance with ITV.

The following day, an on-air clash saw Beresford tell his co-host: "I understand that you've got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one, and she cut you off. She's entitled to cut you off.

"Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has. But yet you continue to trash her."

Since announcing his departure, Morgan has stood by his comments, telling reporters outside his London home: "I believe in freedom of speech, I believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion.

"If people want to believe Meghan Markle, that’s entirely their right.

“I don’t believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and I think the damage she’s done to the British monarchy and to the Queen at a time when Prince Philip is lying in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible.

“If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it.”

Watch: Piers Morgan joining GB News?