Pete Townshend fears he will be fired from The Who if he comments about Roger Daltrey

The Who’s Pete Townshend thinks he could be fired from the iconic band if he doesn't censor himself around his bandmates. The 80-year-old musician is a co-founder of the rock band - playing alongside Roger Daltrey and Zak Starkey in recent months.

But 59-year-old Zak was seemingly booted from the band in April this year as The Who were preparing to embark on an epic Farewell Tour. There have been conflicting statements from Zak, Roger and Pete as to whether the drummer retired from the band or was given his marching orders.

But now Pete has addressed the dramatic turn of events to confess he lives in fear that he too could be forced out of the group if he doesn't watch what he says. Fans had been startled to see Zak and Roger clash on stage at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year.

READ MORE: Rylan Clark says 'they won't listen' as he questions 'decision' by BBC bosses

READ MORE: Oasis tour Cardiff stage times and support acts revealed

The Who played a gig in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust in March when Roger scolded Zak for overplaying during one of their tracks. The drummer exited the group soon after.

Reflecting on the incident, Pete told the i Paper: “It’s been a mess. I couldn’t see anything wrong. What you see is a band who haven’t played together for a long time. But I think it was probably to do with the sound. I’ve lost my sound man as a result.”

He continued: “I think Roger just got lost. Roger’s finding it difficult. I have to be careful what I say about Roger because he gets angry if I say anything about him at all. He’ll be sacking me next. But that’s not to say that he sacked Zak.

"It’s a decision Roger and I tried to make together, but it kind of got out of hand.”

However, Pete went on to hint he wasn't that upset about Zak leaving the group. The drummer had first joined the band in 1996 - and is also a member of supergroup Mantra Of The Cosmos alongside Shawn Ryder and Bez from Happy Mondays as well as Andy Bell, who plays with Oasis.

When asked if it was a difficult to let Zak go, Pete told the paper: “Well, I’ve never been a huge… I didn’t invite him in, right? Roger invited him. And at that time, I don’t know quite why he chose Zak, but Zak is another Keith Moon. He comes with real, real bonuses and real, real difficulties.”

Zak previously lashed out over his alleged sacking from The Who. He told Rolling Stone in April: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who.

“Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honour and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me."

He continued: "In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.

“After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do?"

He added at the time: "I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of [single] ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads .