PIERS Morgan has furiously claimed his pal Sharon Osbourne had been “shamed and bullied” into clarifying her support for him after an explosive row on her US show, The Talk.
We reported today how mum of three Sharon had taken to her Instagram page to insist she is “not racist” and explain how she reacted in “horror” to suggestions she is following the on-air spat in which she broke down in tears.
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Piers Morgan claimed pal Sharon Osbourne has been ‘shamed and bullied’ by her The Talk co-stars – and has demanded a personal apology
The lengthy discussion on live TV centred on her choice to defend her friend Piers’ intense scrutiny over Meghan Markle, particularly following her bombshell interview with Oprah, after which he claimed he “didn’t believe a word” said by the Duchess of Sussex.
Shortly after Sharon posted her emotive Instagram message, the former Good Morning Britain host took to his Twitter account in anger and responded: “Sharon’s been shamed & bullied into apologising for defending me against colleagues accusing me of racism because I don’t believe Meghan Markle’s bullsh*t. This is where we’ve reached.
“I demand an apology from those @TheTalkCBS bullies for their disgraceful slurs against ME.”
In her post Sharon, 68, said she was “sorry” to anyone she “offended” with her comments on Wednesday’s explosive episode of The Talk.
Ex GMB host Piers has suggested his pal had been singled out for speaking out in his defence
Piers has demanded CBS’ The Talk show hosts now apologise to him for suggesting he is a racist
Sharon Osbourne has insisted she is ‘not racist’ and is ‘sorry’ for any offence caused by her defence of pal Piers Morgan
Sharon broke down in tears during a lengthy discussion about her choice to defend her friend Piers’ intense scrutiny over the years about the former Duchess of Sussex.
She had previously posted a Tweet insisting she “stood by” ex GMB anchor Piers after his comments over Meghan’s bombshell interview with Prince Harry, in which the Suits actress told how she felt suicidal during her time living in the UK, and senior figures in the Royals had questioned the colour of her unborn child.
Piers hailed his fellow former AGT judge a “true friend” for her words as she wrote: “I am with you.”
Yet in standing by her friend, Sharon clearly upset her The Talk co-host Sheryl Underwood as the pair locked horns over whether Piers was indeed racist – with The Celeb Report exclusively revealing show bosses fear Sharon will now quit after the fracas.
The Osbournes star told she ‘did not condone’ racism and was continuing to learn
Sharon Tweeted she ‘stood by’ Piers following his comments on Meghan Markle
The TV stars are close pals
Taking to her Instagram page hours after the on-air spat – which saw the show hosts refuse to apologise to each other on air as revealed exclusively by The US Sun – mum of three Sharon posted a lengthy message in which she clarified her position and views, as well as her belief in “freedom of speech.”
The Osbournes star wrote: “After some reflection, after sitting with your comments and sitting with my heart I would like to address the discussion. on The Talk this past Wednesday.
“I have always been embraced with so much love and support from the black community and I have deep respect and love for the black community.
“To anyone of colour that I offended and/or anyone that feels confused and let down by what I said I am sorry.
Sharon said she wanted to ‘address the discussion’ aired on The Talk where she stuck up for the ex GMB host
Her co-host Sheryl, 57, appeared unimpressed with Sharon’s comments
“I felt panicked, truly blindsided, got defensive and allowed my fear and horror of being accused of being racist take over.
“There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast! I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us and will continue to learn, listen and do better.
“Please hear me when I say I do not condone racism, misogyny or bullying. I should have been more specific about that in my Tweet.
“I will always support freedom of speech but now I see how I unintentionally did not make that clear distinction.
Sharon said she would ‘always support freedom of speech’ but that her Tweet was not clear
Piers had shocked GMB viewers as he said he “didn’t believe a word’ of Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah
“I hope we can collectively continue to learn from each other and from ourselves so we can all continue to pave the way for much needed growth and change.
“The community on this platform means a lot to me. I hope we can all hold each other up with accountability, compassion and love during this powerful time of paving the way for so much needed change.”
She finished her lengthy message with her name, and a red Emoji love heart.
One fan quickly commented in support, and wrote: “You have one of the biggest hearts ever… you’ve always struck me, as someone who cares deeply about people, no matter what their race is. You care about people, and animals… you’re good in my book!”
In her bombshell interview, Meghan told how a senior royal has questioned the colour of her child with Prince Harry
The former Suits actress also admitted to dark suicidal thoughts during her time in the Royal Family in the UK
Yet another mused: “Was so disappointed hearing about this! When I see some celebs’ true colors it doesn’t shock me – this one did! Do better! Apology appreciated but do better!”
One then commented: “You don’t need to apologise. We’re all in agreement with Piers and applaud you for standing by him.”
During The Talk, fans slammed Ozzy Osbourne’s wife as also being “racist,” as she said at the top of the program: “Why is it that because I supported a longtime friend and work colleague for years, people go ‘well you must be racist because he’s racist.’
“No. I support his freedom of speech. I’m not racist and neither is Piers racist. It’s a terrible, evil word to call anyone that’s not knowledge of that.
Piers and Sharon are long term pals and starred on AGT together
“What have I ever said about anybody that’s racist? It’s not within me. It’s not in my soul.”
However, her co-host Sheryl, 57, appeared unimpressed with Sharon’s comments, as she acknowledged Piers showed “racial implications with the way he spoke about Meghan” last time he appeared on their talk show.
On Thursday’s show, the atmosphere between Sheryl and Sharon was awkward and a source told The Celeb Report both sides “refused to apologize.”
The insider claimed: “Sheryl and Elaine did not want to look weak to the black community who think they went out of their way to educate Sharon. Sharon does not trust that Sheryl and Elaine wouldn’t bury her further on air.
A source told The US Sun both parties refused to apologise
“She does not want to apologize when she feels she was attacked on air for supporting a friend. It was an impasse and there is still tension you can cut with a knife.”
The source continued to claim: “The damage is done. Mrs. O will never forgive Sheryl for ambushing her with that question and seeming to paint her out to be racist on live television. That bridge is forever burned.
“Mrs. O left the set sobbing yesterday so hurt by what transpired.”
Sharon and Piers have a close friendship that goes back decades, with the pair both on the America’s Got Talent judging panel. Sharon was also Piers’ first guest on his ITV series, Life Stories, in 2009.
Piers resigned as GMB host on Tuesday
It came after his on-air spat with GMB weatherman Alex Beresford
On Tuesday, Piers resigned as host of Good Morning Britain after execs said they wanted him to apologize on air following his heated clash with the show’s weatherman, Alex Beresford, 40, over Meghan’s revelation to Oprah Winfrey.
But he was not willing to apologise and walked – bringing an immediate end to his six-year stint on the morning show.
It was revealed the Duchess of Sussex complained to ITV to raise concerns Piers’s words might affect those struggling with mental health.
The 39-year-old Duchess told Oprah Winfrey she felt like she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” in her bombshell interview on Sunday.
Meghan complained to ITV to raise concerns Piers’s words might affect those struggling with mental health
Piers has hailed calls for his GMB return – including a petition – is a pleasant surprise
But on Monday’s Good Morning Britain, Morgan said he “didn’t believe a word” of it.
He then rowed with Alex and stormed off the set – before handing in his notice to bosses hours later.
He has ruled out a GMB return but hailed the petitions to reinstate him as a “pleasant surprise.”
