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Grieving dad challenges Piers Morgan over cruel “man-up” comments

Twitter users couldn't believe what he was saying

Piers Morgan has taken his controversial remarks to a new level after upsetting grieving parents.

Twitter erupted after the Good Morning Britain host said that men who discussed mental health should “get a grip” and “man up”.

Piers, 52, then told his 5.7 million followers that he liked how Prince Philip had a “stiff upper lip” and looked to him as a role model.

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One angry Twitter follower responded to his comments and wrote: “For once you’re wrong @piersmorgan. A stiff upper lip will only lead to men suffering in silence. Ask Prince Philip’s grandsons…”

Piers responded by saying: “I’m not convinced by this new trend of male public soul-bearing. Time for our gender to get a grip, methinks. Life’s tough- man up.” [sic]

He upset a lot of users, with one bravely standing up to the former Mirror editor by asking him: “Piers, how do you fancy popping down to my sons grave and help me with the gardening and we can have a chat about how to ‘man up'”.

As most people are now aware, suicide is the leading cause of death for men between the ages of 20-34 in England and Wales, so there were a lot of social media users that couldn’t quite believe what Piers was saying.

Another said: “This tweet is just unspeakably horrid. Have you thought about this damage it could do? Just to make you look edgy and reactionary? You’re sad.”

Ignoring these comments, Piers than turned on other celebrities that were playing the “victim card”.

He accused Lady Gaga, Madonna, Chrissy Teigen and “every Kardashian” of trying to enhance their brand, by garnering sympathy.

Lady Gaga has recently partnered up with Prince William to encourage others to speak out about the mental health.

They were filmed on a FaceTime call, and have planned to meet up in October as part of his Heads Together charity campaign.

Previously discussing the stigma surrounding the illness, Prince William has highlighted the importance of having role models in young people’s lives.

He has praised grime artist Stormzy for opening up about his depression, and it may help others.

Talking to charity publication CALMzine, the Prince said: “Catherine and I are clear we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings.”

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Prince Harry also told the magazine: “We will all go through tough times in our lives, but men especially feel the need to pretend that everything is OK, and that admitting this to their friends will make them appear weak.

“Over the past year we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a clear and emotionally articulate way, something most adults would struggle with.”

We wonder whether Piers would dare tell Harry and William to “man up”?!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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