Read the room Gary
Gary Lineker has been widely criticised after expressing support for Piers Morgan after he quit Good Morning Britain on Tuesday evening.
Morgan’s departure as the host of ITV’s flagship morning news programme came after his comments on Meghan Markle and her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In her interview with Oprah Winfrey alongside her husband Prince Harry, which Markle opened up about experiencing suicidal thoughts during her lowest moments in Britain. The following day on GMB, Morgan said he “didn’t believe a word she said.”
He has always been one to push the boundaries and generate headlines during his time on the show, but this proved a bridge too far, as widespread condemnation followed, and eventually, he resigned.
Among most people, who disapprove of the needless harassment of a pregnant women who has left the country due to relentless racist press coverage and a lack of support from within the royal family, the news was reason to celebrate. Finally, our mornings would no longer be clouded by Morgan’s latest rant, stoking some aspect of a culture war.
But Gary Lineker, everyone’s mum’s favourite liberal, seems to think it is a shame. The Match of the Day Host who once soiled himself on a football pitch tweeted: “Whether it’s a football manager, a television presenter or any profession for that matter, it’s always sad when someone loses their job.
“Piers Morgan is excellent at what he does and I’m sure he’ll be back on the telly soon.”
Whether it’s a football manager, a television presenter or any profession for that matter, it’s always sad when someone loses their job. @piersmorgan is excellent at what he does and I’m sure he’ll be back on the telly soon.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 9, 2021
I know, read the room.
The replies and quote tweets are filled with baffled followers, confused as to why he thinks A) he was forced out and didn’t resign, as ITV’s statement stated, and B) why it’s bad that someone should lose their job as a result of such reprehensible behaviour.
Jonathan Fisher asked whether he was joking, to which Lineker responded: “No.” Fisher’s response spoke for everyone.
he didn't lose his job, he walked away from it. after he publicly stated that a woman who said she'd felt suicidal was lying about it. after weeks, months and years of targeted harassment. what about this makes you sympathetic to his plight?
— Jonathan Fisher (@fishplums) March 9, 2021
@Kelechnekoff said: “You should’ve sat there and ate your crisps.”
Football blogger HLTCO said: “Excellent at baiting people and reaping the rewards in viewing figures? There’s no integrity to the man. As soon as someone comes back at him by shining a light on his shallow POV, as happened this morning, he storms off. Good riddance.”
Another user said: “Dreadful, class solidarity on display from the media elite here.”
https://twitter.com/ClientJournoExp/status/1369359945901162496?s=20
And author Beth McColl, who wrote: How to Come Alive Again: A Guide to Killing Your Monsters, replied: “No it’s actually not that sad when a very rich man who’s spent years harassing women and minorities finally says something so vile that even he can’t dodge accountability. Bloody hell Gary what a shame.”
