Getty Opera singer Andrea Bocelli has pulled out of singing at Donald Trump's inauguration

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The news comes after Broadway singer Jennifer Holliday also pulled out from appearing at the event next week after being threatened and called an “Uncle Tom”. When it was announced that the blind 58-year-old tenor would not be taking part, towards the end of last month, it was reported that the reason was due to fans saying they would boycott his concerts and records.

Getty Dreamgirls singer Jennifer Holliday will also not perform at the inauguration event

However, now a close source to the popular opera star has said that the singer had initially wanted to “press ahead” with the performance but had pulled out due to advise from his security team after death threats were received. The source said: “Andrea is very sad to be missing the chance to sing at such a huge global event but he has been advised it is simply not worth the risk.”

Getty President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated next week

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Ms Holliday, famed for her performance of Effie in Dreamgirls, had originally said she was “determined” to sing at the high-profile event even though she had said she had voted against him. However, last night she stated that she had not realised her participation in the inauguration show would be interpreted as support for the President-elect.

Getty Canadian singer Celine Dion declined to sing

Getty Elton John was asked to sing but declined the invitation

Holliday, who has performed for the Clintons, both George W Bush and his father, and the Reagans, issued a statement apologising to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fans for being “uneducated” on the issues. She wrote: “My only choice must now be to stand with the LGBT community and to state unequivocally that I will not perform for the welcome concert or for any of the inauguration festivities.”

Getty America's Got Talent child star Jackie Evancho will sing the national anthem

A number of high profile acts, such as Elton John, Celine Dion and Charlotte Church have already declined invitations to perform at the ceremony in Washington on January 20. Rebecca Ferguson, a runner up on The X Factor said that she would only appear if she could sing the anti-racism anthem ‘Strange Fruit’.

Getty Dance troupe Radio City Rockets will perform at the inauguration