NTAs: Clip of Meghan and Harry shown during ceremony

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Piers was last week cleared over his criticism of the Duchess of Sussex on Good Morning Britain. Media watchdog Ofcom ruled Piers’ comments did not breach the broadcasting code, despite a record 57,793 complaints. A 97-page ruling found his remarks were “potentially harmful and offensive” but restricting such views would be a “chilling restriction” on freedom of expression.

A Channel 5 documentary ‘Fergie & Meghan: The Inconvenient Royals’ airs tonight at 9pm, and explores the parallels between the Duchess and Sarah Ferguson, and the lessons that can be learned from Fergie’s experiences.

Piers said he was “delighted” with the verdict, which he labelled a “resounding victory for free speech and a resounding defeat for Princess Pinocchios”.

He famously walked off the breakfast programme after a row with weather presenter Alex Beresford, and was subsequently criticised by huge numbers of people, including mental health charity Mind.

His departure was confirmed that same evening, and unearthed accounts show he claimed he received some unlikely support.

READ MORE: Royal Family LIVE: Meghan missing out on Firm’s tribute to Philip

Piers said at the time of the initial controversy that “several members of the Royal Family” had contacted him in the wake of his exit, but did not name anyone.

He said: “I’ve had some messages communicated to me on behalf of several members of the Royal Family.

“I’m not going to go into who it was but [it was] gratitude that somebody was standing up.”

However, writing in his column for the Mail on Sunday in April, he said Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was one of those to contact him.

He wrote: “Not all royal duchesses were as thrilled as Meghan ‘Pinocchio’ Markle to see me leave GMB.

“‘People have said how much they miss your morning joy and humour,’ texted Sarah, Duchess of York, ‘get back out there!’”

He continued: “Perhaps we should start a new breakfast show together… ‘Morgy and Fergie in the Morning’, anyone?”

Ofcom’s statement said they would have been “seriously concerned” had co-hosts Susanna Reid and Chris Ship not challenged Piers’ comments, which gave “adequate protection to viewers”.

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Writing in a Daily Mail column on the day of the ruling, Piers wrote: “It was preposterous that I had to leave a job I loved because I didn’t believe a demonstrable liar.

“But it happened because the corporate world has been cowed into surrendering to the woke mob whenever it bays for blood.”

The Duchess is yet to comment on the Ofcom ruling.

She filed the complaints herself after Piers claimed he was “sickened” by her “trashing” the Firm as “white supremacists” during the eyebrow-raising interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The Geordie pals beat him to the Best Presenter Award at the National Television Awards on Thursday night, which they won for the 20th consecutive year.

Piers tweeted: “Wow! What a shock! Congrats to Ant & Dec. Thoroughly deserved 20th consecutive win – the way they held those jungle contests to account during the pandemic was absolutely brilliant.”

“Just as well I’m not there,” he added, alongside of a GIF of his infamous walk-off moment.

The duo responded in the press room afterwards. Ant said: “I don’t think we need to say anything about Piers Morgan. The room said it all when his name was mentioned.”

Dec, meanwhile, added: “It’s not about him tonight.”

Piers seemed to think he ought to win, as he told The Mirror beforehand: “I think it’s time the procession came to a shuddering halt and the Morgan bandwagon was rewarded with glory.

“We can’t have these two little vain-glorious Geordies standing there for the 20th consecutive year.

“Ant got one one year when he hadn’t even worked. It’s ridiculous.”

‘Fergie & Meghan: Inconvenient Royals’ airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. It will also be available on My5.

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