Piers Morgan explodes at US comedian – ‘what the f*** is wrong with you?’ | World | News
Piers Morgan has launched a ferocious tirade against American comedian Deon Cole, labelling his mockery of Tourette’s activist John Davidson “one of the most despicable things” witnessed in Hollywood in years. The broadcaster and former Good Morning Britain host took to X late on Sunday night after Mr Cole, hosting the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, unleashed a string of jokes targeting Mr Davidson – the British campaigner and Tourette’s advocate whose life inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear.
Mr Cole, returning as host for a second successive year, opened the star-studded ceremony with a mock prayer that quickly turned ugly. Mr Cole said: “If there are any white men in the room with Tourette’s, I advise you to tell them to read the room, lord. It might not go the way they thinketh. Whatever medicine they on, they better double up on it, lord.”
Gasps rippled through the audience before an awkward smattering of laughter followed. The routine was filmed and swiftly went viral, prompting immediate outrage.
Mr Morgan, posting on X, said: “Hollywood continuing to mock John Davidson over his Tourette’s condition is one of the most despicable things I’ve witnessed in a long time.
“Shame on @deoncole and all those in the audience who laughed at his vile ‘jokes’. What the f*ck is wrong with you???!!!”
The backlash stems from an incident at the BAFTAs just days earlier. Mr Davidson, seated in the audience, suffered an involuntary tic while Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award.
He was heard shouting expletives, including the N-word. The campaigner, whose Tourette’s includes coprolalia – the uncontrollable utterance of obscene words – later released a statement expressing he was “deeply mortified”. The BBC issued a formal apology for any offence caused.
Mr Cole, 54, whose credits include the hit sitcom black-ish, showed no remorse. Responding to a supporter on social media, Mr Cole said: “People got to learn how to take a joke. It’s all in fun.” He doubled down by sharing hate mail he had received, insisting the routine was harmless banter.
Adding fuel to the fire, Hollywood heavyweight Jamie Foxx publicly backed the comedian. The Oscar-nominated actor last week slammed Mr Davidson’s BAFTA outburst as “unacceptable” and posted that the slur was no mere tic, insisiting: “Nah he meant that shit”.
He followed up by taking to Instagram with a clip of Mr Cole’s monologue, commenting: “Brilliant!! You funny af all the time!!!” Mr Cole said: “Appreciate u king!”
