Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson's 'anti-gay' suspension by A&E ended
patriarch Phil Robertson will return to work on A&E's reality show despite his comments about gay immorality, the channel said.
It reversed its decision to suspend him after facing a call for A&E to be boycotted.
A&E said in a statement it was bringing back Robertson after discussions with his Louisiana family featured in the series and "advocacy groups".
Last week, the channel had put Robertson on what it called an indefinite "hiatus" because of his comments in a magazine article that the Bible views gays as sinners akin to adulterers, prostitutes and swindlers.
A&E said it decided to drop Robertson from the show about a wealthy family that makes duck calls because it is part of a company whose core values are "centred around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect".
While reiterating that Robertson's views are not those of the channel, A&E noted that he has publicly said he would "never incite or encourage hate." The show itself is more than one man's views, it added.
Robertson's remarks in were slammed by the gay rights group GLAAD.
But A&E's move against him provoked a flood of support from those who share his views and others who defended his freedom of speech.
Within a day, more than a half-million people "liked" an impromptu Facebook page demanding A&E be boycotted until he returns.
is aired across the world, including Hong Kong.
