Not for the first time, Morrissey’s famously firm stance against animal cruelty is in the news.

Last week, the singer promised that Los Angeles’ Staples Centre were contracted to be “100% vegetarian” during his forthcoming show at the venue ,with all non-veggie fast-food outlets being specially closed for the performance.

As Pitchfork report, the singer was due to appear on tonight’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. His fellow guests were listed as Crash actor Terrence Howard and, more pertinently, the cast of reality TV show Duck Dynasty. The programme, we’re told, follows a dysfunctional family of Louisiana duck hunters, responsible for apparently iconic quotes “happy happy happy” and “don’t marry some yuppie girl”.

As Pitchfork report, Morrissey has taken umbrage at sharing a stage with professional duck killers. The singer issued a public ultimatum to Jimmy Kimmel Live‘s producers stating it was him or the rednecks. According to an official statement from the singer:

Morrissey is thankful for being invited to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live tomorrow, February 26.  However, he cannot morally be on a television program where the cast members of Duck Dynasty will also be guests. Morrissey would be honored to play the show, if Duck Dynasty were removed.

Morrissey stated, “As far as my reputation is concerned, I can’t take the risk of being on a show alongside people who, in effect, amount to animal serial killers. If Jimmy cannot dump Duck Dynasty then we must step away.”

It seems that the production company were unwilling to acquiesce to his demands – the Jimmy Kimmel website now lists Denver indie band Churchill as the show’s main musical act.

Morrissey was recently laid down with a “concussion, a bleeding ulcer, and Barrett’s oesophagus”, resulting in a string of cancelled shows. The singer has now rescheduled the dates for his US tour, available here.