Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan has shared how a heartbreaking loss has profoundly changed his perspective on life. Last November, the 60-year-old bid farewell to one of his dearest friends, Miles, who passed away 15 months after receiving a brain cancer diagnosis. Looking back on his landmark birthday earlier this year, Piers said Miles’ passing made him understand “that you only get one go at this”.
He revealed in a new interview with Best Magazine: “One of my best mates suddenly out of nowhere got brain cancer aged 57 and died within 15 months. He was a brilliant guy, and I’d known him since I was 12 years old,” reports the Mirror.
He told the outlet: “We played cricket together for 20 years, and it was unbelievably painful and sad, but he never complained. He had the worst thing you could possibly have – incurable brain cancer, and he never once issued any sense of self-pity,” he continued.
“The worst I ever heard him say was, ‘It’s not great’. He had an incredible spirit. It reminded me that you only get one go at this, and you never know what curveball is around the corner.” Piers honoured his mate shortly after his passing, sharing a touching message on Instagram.
Alongside his lengthy tribute, he posted numerous photographs of the duo together and looked back on their decades of shared experiences – from school days and cricket matches to serving as ushers at each other’s weddings and globe-trotting adventures.
“He was one of the funniest, kindest, most popular people imaginable, beloved by his family and friends,” he continued. “For his many friends, we will all miss him so much. He was the greatest mate you could ever wish to have. RIP Caldy,” Piers concluded.
Previously discussing his 60th birthday, Piers confessed that he “may have calmed down a bit” with age. He asserted: “You mellow also with experience and wisdom, and also with the fact that I now own my own business, I’m my own boss, I’m not answerable to anybody else.
“I think that brings with it a certain calmness.” In a chat with Saga Magazine, the father of four also mentioned that he is taking “more care of myself than I did 30 years ago.”
He elaborated: “I watch what I eat and exercise more – I’ve even taken up boxing, and, no, it’s not because I keep getting into fights. The only person who ever landed a fist on me was Jeremy Clarkson at the 2004 Press Awards.”
Discussing the same incident in his conversation with Best, Piers revealed that they have since made peace. He clarified: “We agreed that while we will never be great mates, we are going to try and stop hitting each other in public. It’s going so far, touch wood, good.”
