Advertisement

Piers Morgan pulls out of hosting Royal Television Society awards

Piers Morgan.
Morgan had refused his fee to present the awards, because he thought it would be ‘fun’. Photograph: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra

Piers Morgan has pulled out of hosting the Royal Television Society awards, saying he did not want to become a distraction after a campaign claiming his involvement would be “damaging” and “inappropriate”.

The Good Morning Britain presenter was unveiled as host of the awards three days ago, with the RTS chief executive, Theresa Wise, saying his “reputation for being opinionated and his wealth of experience working within the industry make him the perfect host”.

Morgan said he had forgone a fee because he thought hosting would be “fun”, but a campaign had now prompted him to pull out.

It is unclear which campaign he was referring to. A petition to get him removed was started shortly after the RTS announcement, but on Sunday had attracted fewer than 200 signatures.

In a statement on Facebook, Morgan appeared to quote from a separate statement arguing against his participation.

He wrote: “After my role was announced, a campaign was started to have me banned. It suggested that I lack the ‘creative excellence’ criteria required for presenting such an event and therefore my presence would be ‘damaging’ and ‘inappropriate’. Further, I have ‘failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice’.

“Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice. I have no wish to serve as an unnecessary distraction from award winners whose hard work and skill should be celebrated without any of the silly noise this campaign has generated.

“So, I am now withdrawing from hosting the evening. Good luck to everyone who has been nominated.”

Though Morgan has long been a polarising figure, his public defence of Donald Trump and his criticism of the women’s marches that took place after the US president’s inauguration have proved especially unpopular.

Last week, Morgan became embroiled in a spat with author JK Rowling after she tweeted that watching the former Mirror editor “being told to fuck off on live TV [was] exactly as satisfying” as she had imagined.

Last month, actor Ewan MacGregor cancelled an interview on Good Morning Britain over Morgan’s comments about “rabid feminists” at the women’s marches.

The RTS awards will be held on 21 March.