The Who has sacked Zak Starkey in the lead-up to their farewell tour.
The longtime drummer for the band has been let go for the second and presumably last time, in advance of the group setting out on the road.
The news was made public on social media first by guitarist Pete Townshend, then confirmed by a disgruntled Starkey.
The announcement comes just a month after his first sacking and ten days after the band's announcement of their farewell tour.
Townshend announced, "After many years of great work on drums from Zak, the time has come for a change. A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best."
A post from the band's Instagram page reinforced the idea that the drummer had left on his own accord, stating that “We [The Who] are heading for retirement, whereas Zak is 20 years younger and has a great future ahead”.
They implied he would be directing his energy into other projects.
However, Starkey combated this, also taking to social media to voice his frustration. He shared that he had been asked to say he was quitting, instead of being fired, but that "this would be a lie".
"I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit The Who to pursue my other musical endeavours. This would be a lie. I love The Who and would never have quit.
"So I didn't make the statement. Quitting The Who would also have let down the countless amazing people who stood up for me (thank you all a million times over and more) through the weeks of mayhem of me going in and out... like a bleedin' squeezebox."
Townshend also used his post to announce that drummer Scott Devours will join the Who for their final shows.
