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Piers Morgan defends having drink with Nigel Farage

Piers Morgan arrives at the BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Piers Morgan has defended himself for posing for a picture with Nigel Farage. (AP)

Piers Morgan has defended a picture which shows him hanging out with Nigel Farage.

The Good Morning Britain presenter – who has been notably outspoken in his criticism of politicians during the coronavirus pandemic – responded after a picture of him posing, smiling, with the Brexit Party leader at Lord’s Cricket Ground resurfaced on Twitter.

Morgan, 55, tweeted: “That was taken at Lord's. Nigel & I share a great love of cricket. I can be friendly with people who have very different political opinions to me – including some of my own family. It's how things used to be before insane partisan tribalism took hold.”

Read more: Piers Morgan criticises government over lockdown changes

He replied to a Twitter user who shared the picture, saying: “@piersmorgan is saying the right things now (in the main) but this picture wasn’t taken so long ago.”

The “combative” TV presenter and former tabloid editor has gained popularity during lockdown for taking the government to task over their response to the coronavirus crisis.

The prime minister and other members of the cabinet began a boycott of the ITV breakfast show due to Morgan’s aggressive interview style.

Controversial politician Farage, 56, recently stepped down as a presenter on LBC radio following comments he made about the Black Lives Matter movement.

He also recently warned he will start a new political party if the government “goes soft” during the Brexit negotiations.

Morgan has left the UK after taking a break from hosting Good Morning Britain for the summer.

Read more: Piers Morgan defends himself against accusations he is a 'bully not a journalist'

The presenter shared a picture of himself sporting a mask in a plane at Heathrow Airport as he told social media followers he was leaving the country after a "surreal" time.

Before going on holiday he has been bragging about a boost in TV ratings during lockdown.

Sharing a photograph of him alongside co-host Susanna Reid, he wrote: "BREAKING: ⁦‪Good Morning Britain had its highest ever ratings yesterday: 27% audience share, peaking at 32%.

"The longer the Govt boycotts us, the more people are tuning in. We’ll keep challenging them in their cowardly absence. Thank you for watching!"