Simpson rep: 'veterans song cut due to time constraints'

A representative for Jessica Simpson has dismissed rumours the star banned a group of war veterans from singing with her in a TV special because they were dressed in scruffy clothes.

The 4Troops, a singing group of veterans, were disappointed when they were pulled from the line-up of Simpson's upcoming Christmas special, which was filmed in New York's Roseland Ballroom on Thursday (14Oct10).

Reports suggested Simpson's dad and manager, Joe, turned them down because their camouflage trousers weren't appropriate for the glamorous holiday taping.

4Troops member Sgt. Daniel Jens was furious, telling the New York Post, "I am so disappointed and angry, I threw up when I got back to my room", while a spokesperson for the singers added: "Joe should be ashamed of himself."

But a rep for Simpson insists they were cut due to schedule constraints: "The song was cut due to time. Jessica wasn't even aware. She is wholeheartedly devoted to the troops. She just returned from the Persian Gulf where she performed for and met with service men and women stationed at several different locations. The military was the source of inspiration for her entire Christmas album, so much so that she recorded a duet for the album with a USS Harry Truman sailor."