A string of US TV stations have refused to show Jimmy Kimmel's show despite it returning to the airwaves after severe backlash to its cancellation.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended last week after the host's comments about Charlie Kirk's alleged murderer.

Despite being reinstated by Disney, the parent company of broadcaster ABC, Nexstar, one of the biggest owners of TV stations in the US, has refused to show the programme.

It said: "We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr Kimmel's 'ill-timed and insensitive' comments at a critical time in our national discourse.

"We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve."

During a monologue, Mr Kimmel said: "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the Maga gang trying to characterise this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them."

Then, turning to Donald Trump, he added: "This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.

"Many in Maga land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk."

Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to screens across America

Sinclair, which also runs stations affiliated with ABC, has also refused to show the programme when it returns to air.

The firm's vice-chairman, Jason Smith, said: "Mr Kimmel's remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country."

On Monday, Sinclair said it would be "preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming".

It added: "Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return."

Nexstar, one of the biggest owners of TV stations in the US, has refused to show the programme when it restarts

Mr Kimmel's comments, and his subsequent suspension, had sparked fury from America's entertainment elite.

The late-night host had shared images to social media of himself with the late TV writer and liberal activist Norman Lear in what some said was an attempt to draw parallels between the two.

Hundreds of celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro queued up to decry his suspension as a "dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation" in an open letter backing Mr Kimmel.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, welcomed the host's suspension and warned that a number of TV networks should have their licences "taken away".

Josh Denny, a stand-up comedian and podcaster, said following Mr Kimmel's return: "Jimmy Kimmel is back? That's fine.

"Now bring back Charlie Kirk. What do you mean 'you can't?' I thought they were equal atrocities."

Donald Trump welcomed the host's suspension

Announcing the show's return to its usual spot, Disney said: "Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.

"It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-times and thus insensitive.

"We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."