Explore the significant events and career milestones of Piers Morgan, the British journalist, television presenter, and author. From his early days in journalism to his various roles on television and his presence in the media, this timeline covers the pivotal moments of Piers Morgan's life and career.
In 1996, Piers Morgan was appointed as the editor of the Daily Mirror, a British national daily newspaper. At the age of 28, he became one of the youngest editors of a national newspaper in the UK. His tenure at the Daily Mirror was marked by a series of headline-grabbing stories and controversies. Morgan was known for shifting the paper’s editorial stance to align with the Labour Party, as well as for his confrontational style that often put the paper at odds with celebrities and public figures. However, his time as editor was also fraught with criticisms over ethical journalism practices.
On May 22, 2004, the Daily Mirror, under the editorship of Piers Morgan, published photos allegedly showing Iraqi prisoners being tortured by British soldiers. These photos caused a massive uproar and subsequent investigations revealed them to be fake. The photos purported to show British forces abusing prisoners in Iraq, but they were later proved to have been staged. This scandal resulted in Piers Morgan being dismissed from his position as editor of the Daily Mirror, marking a critical moment in his journalistic career and leading to widespread discussions about media ethics.
On the season finale of 'The Celebrity Apprentice' in 2006, Piers Morgan was declared the winner. The show, hosted by Donald Trump, involved celebrities competing in business-related challenges to win money for charity. Morgan's victory was notable as he became the first winner of a special celebrity edition of the series. His win brought attention to his business acumen and strategic thinking, although it also drew criticism as some viewers found his competitive style and demeanor to be abrasive. Morgan won over $250,000 for his chosen charity, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
On July 20, 2011, Piers Morgan was questioned about his involvement in the phone hacking scandal that was linked to the 'News of the World,' a now-defunct British tabloid newspaper. Morgan was the editor of the tabloid from 1994 to 1995, and during this time, illegal phone hacking activities were allegedly carried out by journalists. Although Morgan denied having any knowledge of such practices, this scandal cast a shadow over his career, and he faced significant public scrutiny and calls for more investigations into his journalistic ethics.
In December 2012, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, Piers Morgan used his platform on 'Piers Morgan Live' to advocate for stricter gun control laws in the United States. This position sparked a significant amount of controversy and debate, particularly with American gun rights advocates. Morgan's stance led to a petition for his deportation from the U.S. that gathered over 100,000 signatures. The controversy highlighted the deep divisions in the U.S. regarding gun policy and Morgan's willingness to engage in heated discussions on the issue.
On March 28, 2014, CNN's show 'Piers Morgan Live' aired its final episode after being on the air for three years. The decision to end the show came amid declining ratings and criticism of Morgan’s style, which many found to be too confrontational for American audiences. The show often featured contentious interviews and discussions on topics such as gun control, a subject on which Morgan was vocally against the widespread availability of guns in the U.S. This stance caused friction and divided opinion among viewers.
On January 26, 2018, Piers Morgan conducted an exclusive and widely discussed interview with then-President Donald Trump. The interview took place at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and was broadcast by ITV. In the interview, Trump addressed various issues including Brexit, climate change, and his relationship with Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister at the time. The interview drew significant viewership and numerous headlines, particularly due to its timing amidst global political tensions and its insightful exchanges between Morgan and Trump.
On March 9, 2021, Piers Morgan left his position as a presenter on the 'Good Morning Britain' show following a massive backlash over his comments about Meghan Markle. During the show, he expressed disbelief at Markle's claims of having experienced suicidal thoughts and lack of support from the royal family. His comments led to more than 41,000 complaints to Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, and a heated on-air argument with a colleague. Ultimately, Morgan decided to step down from the show.
On April 25, 2022, Piers Morgan launched a new show titled 'Piers Morgan Uncensored,' airing on TalkTV, a UK network. The show featured Morgan's trademark style of direct and often controversial interviews and commentary on current affairs. As the leading show on the newly launched network, 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' represented a return to regular television hosting for Morgan after his departure from ITV's 'Good Morning Britain.' The show quickly drew attention for its segments covering hot-button issues and interviews with high-profile figures.
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