Piers Morgan admits he likes being 'controversial' as it 'stimulates opinions'

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Piers Morgan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
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Piers Morgan has admitted to enjoying the controversy his public persona creates as he likes “stimulating opinions”.

The Good Morning Britain host has proved a divisive figure throughout much of his career in the media, but this reputation as a controversial figure has reached fever pitch in recent months.

Morgan’s opinions on Meghan Markle, US president Donald Trump and the Conservative government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic have both won over and alienated those who come into contact with Morgan’s views.

Read more: Mouse causes disruption in 'Good Morning Britain' studio

Be it his 7.6 million Twitter followers, or the millions who tune in to watch him co-present GMB alongside Susanna Reid, Morgan is regularly making headlines with how people respond to his views.

And according to comments in a recent interview, this is something the 55-year-old is happy about.

Piers Morgan even shocked GMB co-host Susanna Reid with his behaviour (ITV)
Piers Morgan even shocked GMB co-host Susanna Reid with his behaviour (ITV)

Morgan spoke candidly to inews journalist Benjamin Butterworth after the pair clashed in an explosive GMB segment last year.

Addressing his reputation, Morgan said: “I like the limelight. I like being well known. I like being controversial. I like stimulating opinions.”

Watch: Rupert Everett says Piers Morgan is like “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”

“I think the day you’re tired of having opinions is the day your brain just basically ceases to exist.”

He added: “I’m a good man, but flawed. I think most family and friends would describe me as a pretty good bloke.”

Read more: Piers Morgan reacts to his Spitting Image puppet

The clash with Butterworth on GMB, which saw Morgan mocking how Butterworth spoke in a “camp way”, proved controversial - it was the second most complained about TV moment of 2019 according to Ofcom.

But Morgan used the interview to address the moment, apologising for his actions.

“It was a cheap shot,” he admitted. “Half the staff at GMB are gay and they know I haven’t got a homophobic bone in my body … I’m very sorry for mimicking your voice in that camp way – it was an unnecessary thing to do.”

Watch: Piers Morgan unveils Spitting Image puppet on GMB