Channel 4 has dropped a singer from music competition show The Piano after the musician was pictured at an anti-illegal migrant protest in his Kentish hometown.
Now, singer-pianist Dylan Kirk has spoken out on GB News about how his right to protest led him to lose a tour of eight dates after a targeted campaign by left-wing pressure groups.
The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, offers up the opportunity to amateur pianist to play live at some of Britain's busiest train stations, which is then judged by seasoned pro Lang Lang and popstar Mika.
Nevertheless, what led to the left-wing fury was a photograph taken of Mr Kirk alongside Britain First leader Paul Golding at the demonstration outside a migrant hotel in the market town.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Mr Kirk has since claimed it was Golding who asked for the picture - but his denial has not stopped gig venues from snubbing the musician, which has also led to the singer being dropped from Channel 4 show.
He explained: "I don't tend to use my music as a political platform, but a local march in my hometown. I had no idea this individual, Paul Golding, was going to even attend. I just went for my own reasons and my own concerns.
"I have photos with loads of people on me on the music scene. People come up to me asking about my style and I obliged, and it wasn't till afterwards and all these allegations come out and people saying I'm associated with him, that I actually got to know who he was."
The far-right leader has since released a statement to confirm that he indeed asked Mr Kirk, who had no knowledge of who he was, for a photo, presenter Patrick Christys added.
Dylan Kirk spoke to GB News in a bid to 'put this all to bed'
|GB NEWS
"I found out that there was a group called Merseyside Antifa - an anti-fascist group - in Liverpool, who knew I was performing a gig in the Cavern Club, and they quickly called them up to get my gig cancelled," Mr Kirk went on.
"And then following that I had Dingwall's cancelled as well. So they attacked all my gigs to have them cancelled."
Explaining how he became "cancelled" by Channel 4, he first completed pre-televised auditions, moving onto the show's callbacks which were televised.
He continued: "I then performed in front of a whole train station. So it wasn't just like hidden away.
"And then the next day, it came to find out who would be performing into the final. And I was selected for that.
LATEST FROM CHANNEL 4:
A series of anti-migrant protests have taken place in the market town
|GETTY
"But a week later, I had a phone call to say we found out all this information about you. And we are thinking about removing you off the show."
A week on, he was informed he would be dropped from the talent show. Opening up about the impact on his personal life, he admitted it had affected him "at home a lot".
He added: "As I've learned who this individual was, I mean, you know, there's certain things I believe in and there's certain things he believes in, but whether I align with that, that doesn't mean I should have my career cancelled.
"I don't align with everything he says. I have my own opinions, but my opinions aren't going to change the world."
In a candid moment with Patrick, he said he "just wanted this all put to bed" with his career reformed.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "After information was brought to our attention following filming of The Piano, it became clear that this contributor had failed to disclose important information required under the programme's rules and procedures.
"In light of this, the decision was taken that he could not continue to participate in the series.
"The duty of care owed to contributors is of paramount importance to us. An appropriate support has been offered to the contributor throughout this process."