Former ITV star Piers Morgan has made a brutal swipe at his former Good Morning Britain co-star, Ben Shephard. During Thursday’s (September 11) installment of This Morning, presenters Ben and Cat Deeley thanked the viewers at home as they showed off their shiny NTA gong that they won for Daytime Show during Wednesday’s ceremony.

They were joined by guests Piers Morgan and Ashley James in the studio to go through the latest headlines, with Piers returning to ITV for the first time in four years. Of course the award win was a huge talking point of the show, as the presenters proudly showed off their well-deserved gong. Piers joined in on the celebrations on screen, before posting a savage jibe at the This Morning team on social media afterwards. He shared a snap of them all together in the ITV studio, smiling and holding up the accolade, before adding the text: “So thrilled to help Ben celebrate his NTA award, and if you believe that I’ve got a second-hand Skoda to sell you.”

Despite the on-screen celebrations, things did turn heated as the guests and hosts discussed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, with Piers and Ashley having differing opinions.

The TV presenter stormed off the set of Good Morning Britain, where he was a host, in 2021 after he said he did not believe Meghan Markle’s claims during her and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Later in today’s episode, Piers sat down with Cat and Ben to discuss his TV return. He stated: “I don’t care if you love me or hate me, or love to hate me, or hate to love me. I’ll take any of those permutations as long as you watch me.”

He also hyped his YouTube show Piers Morgan Uncensored, joking: “I’m basically the Justin Bieber of journalism.”

There was a very mixed reaction online to his return to ITV. Many took to social media to express their disapproval, with some branding his return “disgusting”.

“Absolutely disgusting,” one viewer fumed. “Should be ashamed. Piers Morgan should never be on again the way he talked down to Ashley. Get him to apologise!!”

Others questioned ITV’s decision to bring him back at all. “Why on earth has ITV invited Piers Morgan on This Morning? Eurgh!”

However, some viewers loved the drama, with one writing: “So good to have Piers on This Morning, especially putting the obnoxious Ashley James in her place,” while another said: “Love him or loathe him, he’s so much better than dreary Gyles Brandreth.”