He’s only one morning into his new role as Good Morning Britain co-host and Piers Morgan has already marked his debut with an awkward interview.
Sitting with Susanna Reid and Richard Arnold, he antagonised X Factor contestant Mason Noise as he pressed him to reveal his real name in the awkward encounter.
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid (Jonathan Ford/ITV)
Piers, who has moved from guest presenter on ITV’s breakfast show to permanent co-host three days a week, asked The X Factor singer: “Noise isn’t your name, right? Your name isn’t Noise?”
When Mason replied that the moniker was something which had stuck with him since childhood, Piers continued to press: “So what is your name?”
Looking uncomfortable, Mason replied: “You’ll have to go and Google it.”
Laughing, the new presenter said: “Mason, it’s not Question Time, just, what’s your name?”
But Mason’s reply: “No, it’s like asking Batman what his name is,” evidently riled Piers, who questioned whether the aspiring singer had his ego in check.
(ITV/screenshot)
“Like asking Batman what his name is! Mason, is this the problem? I was watching you, I loved you sticking it to Simon obviously, but when you liken yourself to Batman, a superhero saving the world, do you think the ego is writing cheques that the body maybe isn’t quite able to cash?” he asked.
And their aggro continued on Twitter.
@piersmorgan Glad I've finally met someone with a matching ego (batman voice).
— Mason Noise (@itsmasonnoise) November 23, 2015
As Morgan noted with glee after his first stint finished, his name was trending all morning.
Thanks for all your tweets about @piersmorgan … Here's what he's got to say after his first show #piersongmb pic.twitter.com/S9JxyYnnDc
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) November 23, 2015
His appearance, however, was met with mixed reaction on the social media site.
@piersmorgan on @GMB love him or hate he puts the fun into the news when needed and serious and intelligent enough when the story needs it
— Barrie Anderson (@Barrie_F1_BTCC) November 23, 2015
@piersmorgan it's refreshing to see someone on national TV who doesn't stick to political correctness, always entertaining. Good job on @GMB
— J.Σ (@jayeddyy) November 23, 2015
@piersmorgan @GMB must admit I'm warning to piers on GMB, his interview with shadow defence minister was one of the best I've seen brill
— Trueblonde (@pgatops) November 23, 2015
Loving @gmb this morning ! @piersmorgan is hilarious ! Well done @itv great addition to the team!
— Tommy Gardner (@TommyGardner) November 23, 2015
Not everyone was a fan.
Why is Piers Morgan on breakfast TV he shouldn't be on TV full stop !
— Ben Rowlings (@BenRowlings) November 23, 2015
Used to enjoy a bit of @GMB before work… Can't even watch it with the awful Piers Morgan… So cringey, why bring him back?! :-(
— Vicki (@v_olch) November 23, 2015
@piersmorgan @itsmasonnoise awful interview Piers! Get yourself off the TV! Do Britain a favour!! #piersmorgan
— Mart Fergie (@MartFergie) November 23, 2015
Who thought it'd be a good idea to put Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain?! He's the last person I want to see first thing in the morning
— Greg Lee (@greglee91) November 23, 2015
There was another awkward moment for Piers when the former newspaper editor’s famous friends were called on to welcome him into his new role.
Piers’ wife Celia Walden sent a good luck clip to the pair, prompting Susanna to say: “Celia feels my pain. From your real wife to your new TV wife.”
But Piers took the opportunity to question whether her new role as his on-screen wife got him any, er, “TV conjugal rights”.
(ITV/screenshot)
“No,” said Susanna, quickly shooting him down before she awkwardly leaned away as Piers went in for an embrace.
It was followed by Lord Sugar teasing that he now understood what morning sickness felt like from seeing Piers’ face on the breakfast show, while Ant and Dec sent a message from the Australian jungle.
After the show, Lord Sugar helped keep the Twitter traffic up.
I see you put your teeth back in https://t.co/RAm7AaxNvg
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) November 23, 2015
