Garth Brooks cover dropped from RTÉ Late Late Show country special as music star accused of rape

Montrose bosses halted plans to include a cover of Brooks’ most well-known hit, Friends in Low Places, on the pre recorded chat show

A Garth Brooks song was dropped from the Late Late Show country special at the 11th hour in the wake of rape allegations against the star.

Montrose bosses halted plans to include a cover of Brooks’ most well-known hit, Friends in Low Places, on the pre recorded chat show.

According to a source the song was performed in the dress rehearsal but it was axed as details of US court allegations of rape, sexual assault and battery emerged.

READ MORE - Garth Brooks denies sex assault allegations - 'I am not the man they have painted me to be'

READ MORE - Grammy Award winner Garth Brooks accused of sexual assault and battery in lawsuit by former employee

Brooks, 62, has strenuously denied the claims and said the lawsuit was a bid for "hush money".

The woman, identified as Jane Roe in the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, claims Brooks raped her in a hotel room in 2019 when she was working as a hairstylist and make-up artist for the singer.

He is accused of subjecting her to unwanted sexual conduct, including exposing himself on several occasions and "groping her breasts".

The woman claimed the trauma from the alleged sexual assault "became so unbearable" that she contemplated taking her own life.

Two-time Grammy winner Brooks, who played five concerts at Croke Park in 2022, said the lawsuit is an attempt at extortion for "millions of dollars".

In a statement on Friday, he added: "For the last two months I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a cheque for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face."

An RTE spokesperson said: "The Late Late Show Country Music Special was pre-recorded on Thursday. There was uncertainty about the specifics of an emerging news story prior to recording of the song. Through an abundance of caution, a decision was made to make an editorial change.

"No song was cut from the show. No Garth Brooks song was performed in front of a studio audience."

Sign up to the Irish Mirror's daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox