Dancing With The Stars fans and crew members are fuming after it was revealed former White House press secretary Sean Spicer will appear on the show’s next series.
Many fans have called for a boycott of the show, and host Tom Bergeron was among those to criticise the move.
Mr Spicer controversially quit as press secretary just six months into President Donald Trump's presidency.
He had a contentious relationship with the press and is remembered for his ridiculed statement that the president's inauguration was the most widely seen in history.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr Bergeron said he had hoped the new season would be a "joyful respite from our exhausting political climate" and urged them not have any "divisive bookings."
But he added: “Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often say in Hollywood, ‘go in a different direction.’
“It is the prerogative of the producers, in partnership with the network, to make whatever decisions they feel are in the best long term interests of the franchise.
“We can agree to disagree, as we do now, but ultimately it’s their call.”
Queer Eye star Karamo Brown, who will also appear on the show, also faced criticism from fans.
Some said they were “disappointed” that he had “lent his celebrity to this,” while many said they would boycott the show over Mr Spicer’s appearance.
But Mr Brown hit back, saying he had “no say who is on the cast” but that he was “excited to sit down with him and engage in a respectful conversations.
“Only way things get better is if we try to educate those who have different POV than us.”
The show's lineup also includes Christie Brinkley, Lauren Alaina, Ally Brooke, and Mary Wilson and athletes Lamar Odom and Ray Lewis.
ABC staff members told CNN there was “eye rolling” going on over the decision to feature Mr Spicer, while another said: “It's a slap in the face to those of us who had to deal with his baloney and the consequences of the ongoing lies and disinformation campaign at the White House.”
