The animosity between Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson reached a violent peak in 2004, a moment still revisited years later. It wasn’t a simmering disagreement; it exploded into a full-blown brawl at the British Press Awards, leaving Morgan with a lasting scar and Clarkson with a broken finger.
The root of the conflict lay in a series of articles published by Morgan, then editor of the Daily Mirror. These articles featured photographs of Clarkson with a woman who wasn’t his wife, a revelation Clarkson had reportedly pleaded with Morgan to keep private. The tension finally snapped, culminating in a swift and brutal punch.
Morgan, reflecting on the incident decades later, admitted the punch wasn’t particularly powerful. Yet, it was enough to break Clarkson’s hand upon impact – a detail Morgan found surprisingly satisfying. He still carries the physical reminder of the encounter, a permanent mark on his forehead.
Surprisingly, the story doesn’t end with lasting bitterness. Clarkson unexpectedly reached out to Morgan, proposing a simple truce: a drink. The meeting, held in Morgan’s local pub, proved surprisingly amicable, a genuine attempt to bury the hatchet.
The reconciliation was formalized in a uniquely playful manner. Their children acted as official witnesses, ratifying a peace treaty that, while not forging a close friendship, established a level of mutual tolerance. The goal, Morgan conceded, was simply to reach a point where neither man felt compelled to resort to violence.
Clarkson’s own recollection of the night is characteristically blunt. He described Morgan’s initial provocation – a furious accusation about his wife – and his immediate response: a series of punches. He even admitted to enjoying the potential for continued conflict, despite the self-inflicted injury.
The feud’s origins actually predate the 2004 brawl, stretching back to a flight on Concorde’s final commercial journey. Clarkson, in a calculated act of defiance, poured water over Morgan, leaving him to appear as though he’d had an accident.
Despite the years of hostility, a surprising level of normalcy eventually emerged. By 2017, the two were photographed together in Saint Tropez, joking about their ability to coexist without physical altercation. This culminated in a joint appearance on the television show *Who Wants To Be A Millionaire* in 2020.
Witnesses to the 2004 incident recall a build-up of frustration stemming from the Mirror’s coverage of Clarkson’s personal life. The argument escalated quickly, beginning with a direct plea from Clarkson to refrain from reporting on his family, followed by a tense exchange and physical posturing.
One observer even attempted to intervene, pointing out the presence of numerous cameras and journalists, warning them that their actions would inevitably become front-page news. The plea, however, went unheeded, and the punch was thrown, cementing a notorious chapter in media history.
