Piers Morgan defends JK Rowling as one of the 'most woke people' you could meet

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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Piers Morgan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Morgan Lieberman/WireImage)
Piers Morgan at the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards in Beverly Hills, California. (Morgan Lieberman/WireImage)

Piers Morgan has defended JK Rowling, saying she is “one of the most woke” people he knows.

The Harry Potter author has faced a backlash in recent months due to comments that many consider anti-trans.

But the Good Morning Britain host has come out in support of Rowling, branding the Twitter campaign against her “horrendous”.

Rowling was called out when she mocked an article which used the inclusive phrase “people who menstruate” rather than “women” on Twitter.

Read more: John Cleese 'baffled' by debate over JK Rowling tweet

But Morgan is not happy with the reaction to her comments.

The 55-year-old told The Guardian: “Are we really at the stage where JK Rowling, one of the most woke people you could ever meet, ends up being a hashtag #RIPJKRowling? That’s horrendous.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: J.K. Rowling attends the premiere of "Finding the Way Home" at Hudson Yards on December 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
JK Rowling attends the 2019 premiere of Finding The Way Home in New York City. (Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

The former Britain’s Got Talent judge isn’t the only celebrity to defend Rowling in recent weeks.

Last month a host of actors and performers put their signatures to a letter supporting Rowling.

Monty Python star John Cleese was one such person.

The actor, who starred as Nearly Headless Nick in the Harry Potter movie franchise, told of signing the letter on social media.

The 80-year-old tweeted: “Dear Twits, I have added my name to the signatories of the letter in solidarity with JK Rowling.

“Proud to be in the distinguished company of Ian McEwan, Andrew Davies, Frances Welch, Lionel Shriver, Ben Miller, Tom Stoppard, Frances Barber, Griff Rhys-Jones and Matthew d'Ancona.”

Hagrid actor Robbie Coltrane also defended Rowling.

He told the Radio Times: “I don’t think what she said was offensive really. I don’t know why but there’s a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended.”

Read more: Stephen King voices support for trans women

Rowling defended her comments herself back in June with a lengthy blog post.

She wrote: “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.

“I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”

However, other Harry Potter stars, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, have come out in support of the trans community, saying they do not agree with Rowling’s comments.

Watch: JK Rowling signs letter denouncing cancel culture

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