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Piers Morgan slams BBC’s “ridiculous decision” to axe This Week after 16 years on air

He featured on the final episode

Presenter Piers Morgan has slammed the BBC’s decision to axe late night politics show This Week.

The controversial Good Morning Britain host, 54, called the decision “ridiculous” after featuring in the programme’s final episode last night (July 18).

Piers, who is currently taking a summer break from hosting GMB, was responding to a fan on Twitter when he made the comment.

Miranda Green and Piers Morgan
Piers shared a couch with journalist Miranda Green for the final episode (Credit: ITV)

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One viewer tweeted: “Enjoying @piersmorgan on #bbctw. Seems this format suits him quite well. Another reason it’s incredibly annoying it’s ending!

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve disagreed with views often over the years, but I absolutely love the show and @afneil better remain at the heart of BBC Politics.”

In reply, Piers wrote: “Thanks, and I totally agree – ridiculous decision by the BBC.”

Taking to Instagram earlier this morning to reflect on his appearance on This Week, Piers joked that he had finally found someone who appreciated his political wisdom – Andrew Neil’s dog.

He shared a couple of stills showing Andrew’s beloved pooch Molly coming up to the couches and plonking herself down comfortably as Piers spoke.

He wrote: “Finally, I’ve found someone who loves my political pontificating: Andrew Neil’s dog Molly never left me alone on her brilliant master’s final This Week show last night.”

The BBC announced its plans to axe This Week earlier this year, following Andrew Neil’s decision to step down as host.

The politics show, which was on air for 16 years, ran on BBC One every Thursday after Question Time.

Andrew Neil
Andrew Neil hosted This Week since the show’s launch in 2003 (Credit: SplashNews.com)

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Andrew has presented the programme since its launch, with regular guests including shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott and former Conservative MP Michael Portillo.

The BBC’s director of news, Fran Unsworth, said in a statement: “We couldn’t imagine This Week without the inimitable Andrew Neil, one of Britain’s best political interviewers. After 16 years, Andrew is bowing out of late-night presenting on the show, at the top of his game.”

She went on to say that the BBC wanted to keep Andrew “at the heart” of its political coverage, so he will remain the presenter of Politics Live each Thursday.

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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