Piers Morgan has confirmed he has tested negative for coronavirus.
On Sunday night, the divisive TV personality revealed he would be missing the following day’s Good Morning Britain after showing “a mild symptom” of Covid-19.
“On medical advice, and out of an abundance of caution for a mild symptom that arose in past 48hrs, I’ve had a test for COVID-19 and so won’t be working on [Good Morning Britain] until I get the result back,” Piers wrote.UPDATE: On medical advice, and out of an abundance of caution for a mild symptom that arose in past 48hrs, I’ve had a test for COVID-19 and so won’t be working on @GMB until I get the result back, which should be tomorrow.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 3, 2020Having now received the results of his test, the GMB host has now confirmed that he does not have the virus.
After revealing his negative result, he tweeted: “I was advised to take the test by my doctor after developing possible
Coronavirus symptoms, and was entitled to do so as a Govt-designated essential worker.”Piers added that he would be back on Good Morning
Britain “as soon as my doctor advises I’m OK to return to work”.UPDATE: My COVID-19 test was negative. I was advised to take the test by my doctor after developing possible coronavirus symptoms, and was entitled to do so as a Govt-designated essential worker. I'll be back on @GMB as soon as my doctor advises I'm OK to return to work.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 4, 2020His regular co-host Susanna Reid began this week’s shows with a special message for Piers, joking it was a “therapeutic Monday” in his absence.
“We send our very best wishes to you, Piers, and we will be on our best behaviour while you are not here,” she added.'We send our very best wishes to you Piers and we will be on our best behaviour while you're not here.' - @susannareid100pic.twitter.com/vTSJaPeT0i— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 4, 2020During lockdown, Piers has increased his workload on the ITV breakfast show, co-hosting four days a week instead of his usual three. While some viewers have praised the way he has held government ministers to account during interviews, his approach hasn’t been without controversy.
More than 3,000 complaints were made to the TV watchdog Ofcom following two interviews with Care Minister Helen Whately on GMB last month.
Another 600 viewers also complained about Piers’ interview with Health Secretary Matt Hancock on 16 April.READ MORE: Piers Morgan Hits Out At 'Hypocrite' Frankie Boyle Over Newspaper Comments Piers Morgan Forced To Apologise To
Lady Gaga After Her Together At Home Event Raises Over £100m 'You're Toast': Piers Morgan Bans Any Mention Of Harry And Meghan On GMB However, the regulator announced they would not be taking the matter any further, noting that Piers is “well-known for his combative interviewing style” and viewers would expect him to challenge senior politicians.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “In line with freedom of expression, it is clearly in the public interest that broadcasters are able to hold those making political decisions to account, particularly during a major national crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic.”
Responding to the news on
Instagram, Piers said he’d been “emphatically cleared” and thanked his supporters.Susanna Reid previously missed two week’s worth of filming in the studio at the beginning of lockdown, after a member of her household showed symptoms of coronavirus.
Kate Garraway is also currently on a break from her TV commitments, while her husband Derek Draper remains in critical condition in hospital, having tested positive for Covid-19.