Dermot O'Leary has defended Prince Harry over his upcoming memoir - as he opened up about his meetings with the former royal.
Prince Harry is set to release his memoir, titled Spare, in the new year, with royal insiders labelling the choice of title and picture as "confrontational" and "yet another attack on the royal family". The name - Spare - is a nod to the phrase 'The Heir and Spare', which was used to describe Harry and his older brother Prince William based on the line of succession.
As Dermot and Alison Hammond discussed the new memoir with Gyles Brandreth and Matthew Wright, Dermot was quick to step in and defend Harry's plan to tell his stories. He recalled a time they met, lamenting over how Harry was constantly followed around.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, he said: "I met him once, maybe twice. I did the documentary about the Battle of Britain. He came down to Goodwood, where we were taking off from and actually, he gave up his seat because one of the planes weren't working.
"He gave the seat up quite gallantly to a veteran. But I just watched this sea of people, wherever he went, there was like 30 people behind him. Some of them were with him - but others... It was like seagulls after the trawler. I thought, who would ever want that?"
Harry's memoir is set to be released early next year after much anticipation.
"It will take readers immediately back to one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow - and horror," a statement shared.
"As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling - and how their lives would play out from that point on. For Harry, this is his story at last. With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief."
Markus Dohle, CEO at Penguin Random House, added: "Penguin Random House is honoured to be publishing Prince Harry's candid and emotionally powerful story for readers everywhere. He shares a remarkably moving personal journey from trauma to healing, one that speaks to the power of love and will inspire and encourage millions of people around the world."
The 416-page book, which has a striking cover image of Harry, will cost £28 for a hardback, with the audio book, voiced by Harry himself, priced at £20. The book is already being offered at half price on some websites.
