Piers Morgan has spoken out in defence of Ben Stokes over claims the cricketer had grabbed his wife’s throat at the 50th NatWest PCA Awards earlier this week.
Photos emerged from the event showing Ben, 28, holding his wife Clare by the neck and pushing her backwards, prompting claims he was attacking her.
However, Clare, 30, slammed the allegations against her husband and said Ben was playfully showing her affection.
Addressing the controversial photos on Good Morning Britain, Piers said on Wednesday: ‘They were seen around this picture being taken having a great night, having a few drinks. They carried on having a great night, posted pictures of them and so on.
‘It’s an interesting one, you have to take them at face value I think, you have to listen to what they say about it. They say it’s not what it looks like.’
Sharing his own insider knowledge, Piers continued: ‘I’m told they both like a party, they like a bit of a drink occasionally together and they are a bit boisterous together and that’s literally what it was, which might be the case. I’ve no reason to doubt them.
‘I think it’s one of those things, it’s totally emphatic.’
Defending the couple further, he added: ‘No one who was around them said they saw something nasty. It’s just one of those unfortunate things for them.’
Clare took to Twitter to amid the controversy and stated: ‘Unbelievable what nonsense these people will make up!
‘Me and Ben messing about squishing up each other’s faces cos that’s how we show affection and some pap tries to twist it in to a crazy story! ‘And all before we then have a romantic McDonalds 20 mins later!’
Ben retweeted the message and commented with a kissing emoji.
Piers and Susanna Reid sympathised with the couple for their sudden stardom and said: ‘He’s become a superstar and life changes…
‘I suspect for both of them it’s been a culture shock.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
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