Gary Lineker mocks Piers Morgan over viewing figures for TalkTV launch show

Albertina Lloyd
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Sports Broadcaster, Gary Lineker presents prior to The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on April 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Gary Lineker called Piers Morgan's new audience figures 'small numbers'. (Getty Images) (Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)

Gary Lineker has ridiculed Piers Morgan about the viewing figures for the launch of his new TV show, featuring an interview with Donald Trump.

The former Good Morning Britain presenter shared the official viewing figures for the first episode of new TalkTV show Piers Morgan Uncensored on Twitter, which peaked at 400,000.

Lineker retorted: "Congratulations, Tubs. I can’t imagine what it feels like to get such small numbers. Thrilled for you."

Morgan hit back: "Aww thanks Jugs! I was happy to get 60 per cent higher ratings than BBC News. PS you can’t imagine what it’s like to have your own global show either, but I’ll be equally thrilled for you if you ever do…"

Piers Morgan on TalkTV
Piers Morgan was pleased with how his first show on TalkTV had gone. (TalkTV)

The ratings were higher than those achieved by BBC News and Sky News channels.

Read more: Jeremy Kyle makes TV comeback on TalkTV with Sharon Osbourne

The day that Morgan quit ITV's GMB in March last year the show achieved ratings high of 1.29m viewers. Last month the morning show peaked at 910,000 viewers.

Viewing figures of Match Of The Day, hosted by Lineker on BBC One, are thought to be around 2m.

Donald Trump on Piers Morgan Uncensored Talk TV (Talk TV)
Donald Trump appeared on the launch episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV. (Talk TV)

As well as an interview with former US President Donald Trump, the launch episode of Piers included cameo appearances from Ricky Gervais and Amanda Holden.

Gervais said: "The producers of Piers Morgan's new show contacted me and asked me if I'd like to be a guest. I said definitely not.

"They said would you mind doing him a quick video wishing him luck? I said do I have to mean it? They said no. I said good luck."

Amanda Holden
Amanda Holden has a cameo on Piers Morgan's new show. (Getty Images)

Holden added: "Piers Morgan Uncensored - sounds like you might take your pants off or something. Please don't do that."

Read more: Piers Morgan celebrates as Jameela Jamil quits Twitter over Elon Musk takeover

Morgan was pleased with his show debut, tweeting: "Amazing reaction to the launch of @PiersUncensored! Thanks so much for all the fantastic feedback. It’s a marathon not a sprint but couldn’t be prouder of the team for producing such a brilliant first show."

Watch: Donald Trump claims Boris Johnson tried to cancel his interview with Piers Morgan

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