Here's how Susanna Reid responded to co-host Piers Morgan's departure as he stands by comments during first Good Morning Britain show without him

Susanna Reid, who sat alongside Morgan’s replacement Ranvir Singh, said it will be “very different” but “shows go on” as she addressed the abrupt departure of her co-host.

Morgan left following a backlash against his incendiary comments about the Duchess of Sussex and her headline-making interview with Oprah Winfrey.

ITV announced that the presenter and journalist was leaving the news programme in a brief statement on Tuesday, March 9.

During the first show without him, Morgan tweeted: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. If you did, OK.

"Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.”

He also included a picture of a quote by Sir Winston Churchill which reads: “Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.”

Before leaving the show, Morgan had stormed off the set following a heated discussion with his colleague, Alex Beresford, about the duchess.

Reid, opening Wednesday’s programme, addressed her former co-star’s departure and referred to his often divisive presence.

She said: “A number of people will know the news and many of you will not and will be surprised that Piers Morgan is not here this morning.

“Now, Piers and I have disagreed on many things and that dynamic was one of the things viewers loved about the programme.

“He is without doubt an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster.

“He has many critics and he has many fans. You will know that I disagreed with him about Meghan’s interview. He himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday.”

Reid said there are “many voices” on Good Morning Britain and “everyone has their say”.

She added: “But now Piers has decided to leave the programme. Some of you may cheer and others may boo.

“He has been my presenting partner, Monday to Wednesday, for more than five years and during Brexit and the pandemic and other issues. He has been a voice for many of you and a voice that many of you have railed against.

“It is certainly going to be very different but shows go on and so on we go.”

Ranvir Singh, Reid’s co-presenter for the morning, responded: “Well said.”

She described Morgan as a “big character” and said “many viewers will be absolutely gutted”.

Singh called Morgan “Marmite” and acknowledged his role in Good Morning Britain’s success.

Ofcom also announced on Tuesday that it is investigating comments Morgan made about the interview, which first aired in the US on Sunday, March 7.

The watchdog received more than 41,000 complaints about his remarks on Monday’s Good Morning Britain.

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