Piers Morgan releases statement as he quits as host of TV awards following campaign to oust him

Television presenter Piers Morgan has pulled out of hosting the Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards following an online campaign against him.

Morgan was announced as host of the awards three days ago, but shortly after the announcement was made, an online petition was created to prevent him from hosting the event. In a post to his Facebook page, Morgan explained his reasons for standing down. Here's his statement in full: "I was recently invited to host the Royal Television Society Programme Awards.  As someone who has worked in British and American television for most of this Millennium, on a variety of shows, I thought it might be fun and agreed to do it without any fee." It continues: "After my role was announced, a campaign was started to have me banned. It suggested that I lack the ‘creative excellence’ criteria required for presenting such an event and therefore my presence would be ‘damaging’ and ‘inappropriate.’ "Further, I have ‘failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice.’ Apparently, this movement does not extend to tolerating my own diverse voice. I have no wish to serve as an unnecessary distraction from award winners whose hard work and skill should be celebrated without any of the silly noise this campaign has generated. So, I am now withdrawing from hosting the evening.  Good luck to everyone who has been nominated", he adds. The 2017 RTS Programme Awards will take place on Tuesday 21 March.