Justin Timberlake has abandoned plans to co-host a US TV tribute show to Motown music with Lionel Richie.

The announcement comes after an email, fax and phone campaign launched by a coalition of African-American organisations protesting the singer’s involvement in the show, to be broadcast on ABC.

“The selection of Timberlake as co-host of this Motown special is a cultural insult to the black community,” said Project Islamic HOPE executive director Najee Ali. “This special, celebrating the success of the legendary music label, should not be compromised in the pursuit of a crossover audience.”

The US anti-Timberlake campaign follows a swathe of criticism following his participation in the Super Bowl breast-baring incident with Janet Jackson.

Motown 45 executive producer Jeff Margolis said that Timberlake “gladly accepted” when asked to host, but a prior commitment to a feature film has forced him to withdraw.

Timberlake is slated to star with Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and LL Cool J in “Edison,” in which he plays a journalist who uncovers police corruption.

“He has cancelled all television appearances through the end of April to allow him to concentrate on making the movie,” Mr Margolis says, reports Billboard

Credit: Ananova