Boy George has withdrawn from a London Palladium production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” after facing criticism over his pro-Israel song “We Will Dance Again”. His manager said stepping aside would allow the production to remain the focus, while the episode highlights how artists’ public interventions on the Israel-Gaza conflict can affect professional engagements.

The Culture Club singer, 65, had been due to play King Herod from 3 to 15 August alongside Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Armitage and others. The AI-made song includes lyrics rejecting the term genocide in favour of describing the situation as war; George later said the backlash had caused arguments, including with Jewish friends. He has not publicly commented directly on leaving the musical.