Piers Morgan apologises to Lady Gaga for slamming One World: Together at Home concert as it helps raise $127m for coronavirus relief

TV presenter initially said ‘a bloody singer’ doesn’t need to be involved in coronavirus relief

Piers Morgan has apologised to Lady Gaga for criticising her One World: Together at Home concert, which raised $127m (£102m) for coronavirus relief.

Within hours of the live-streamed concert, which saw musicians from around the world singing from their living rooms, Gaga announced that her collaboration with organisers Global Citizen had raised $127m from world leaders, corporate partners and philanthropists.

It also led Morgan to backtrack on his early dismissal of Gaga’s involvement in the fight against coronavirus.

“I owe you an apology @ladygaga,” Morgan tweeted. “This was a great initiative that raised a fortune, entertained people, and will help save lives.”

He continued: “It was also a perfect illustration of a major star using their profile properly in this crisis. Congrats and sorry for originally questioning it.”

When Gaga announced the concert and her move to raise money at a World Health Organisation press conference on 6 April, Morgan initially slammed her presence.

“Has she found a cure?” Morgan tweeted. “Otherwise, we don’t need a bloody singer there.”

Writing on Twitter, Gaga celebrated the money raised: “I am so humbled to have been a part of this project. Thank you @GlblCtzn. Thank you @WHO. I love you.”

The money raised will support the Covid-19 Response Fund, powered by the UN Foundation, which will globally fund essential PPE, supplies and testing kits.