Meghan Markle formally complained to UK broadcaster ITV after Piers Morgan lashed out at her and accused her of lying about her mental health on “Good Morning Britain,” according to a report.
The UK’s Office of Communications had received over 41,000 complaints about Morgan’s behavior by late Tuesday, according to the Guardian — prompting the regulator to launch a probe into whether Morgan’s remarks violated the broadcasting code on harm and offense.
A formal complaint was also lodged on behalf of the Duchess of Sussex with ITV, the British network that airs the morning talk show, the outlet said.
Markle reportedly insisted that she was not upset by Morgan’s attacks — but wanted to file the complaint out of concern for how his comments could affect viewers dealing with their own mental health struggles, an insider told the UK Press Association, according to the Daily Mail.
Amid the backlash, the famed host sensationally quit the show Tuesday, just hours after storming off the set when his co-star Alex Beresford called him out for continuing to “trash” Markle following the couple’s stunning sit-down with Oprah Winfrey.
About two hours later, ITV released a statement saying: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”
Morgan had expressed doubts on the show after Markle opened up to Winfrey about having suicidal thoughts, including claims that she was told that seeking help would not look good for a member of the royal family.
“Who did you go to?” Morgan said Monday on “Good Morning Britain.” “What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report.”
Following the TV host’s comments, it is understood that ITV honchos wanted Morgan to apologize on-air.
On Tuesday, Morgan said he still didn’t believe Markle, but insisted he takes mental illness very seriously.
“When we talked about this yesterday, I said as an all-encompassing thing I don’t believe what Meghan Markle is saying generally in this interview, and I still have serious concerns about the veracity of a lot of what she said.”
He added: “But let me just state on the record my position about mental illness and on suicide. These are clearly extremely serious things that should be taken extremely seriously, and if someone is feeling that way, they should get the treatment and help they need every time.”
