Meghan Markle and Prince Harry branded 'f***ing grifters' by senior Spotify executive in extraordinary intervention

It came just 24 hours after a joint statement between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Spotify claimed that they had "mutually agreed to part ways".

It added that everyone involved was "proud of the series we made together".

But in an apparent break of rank to share his own views, Simmons said on Friday: "The f***ing grifters. That's the podcast we should have launched with them."

Teasing he has more insights on the couple he could share, he added: "I've got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea.

"It's one of my best stories."

The deal between Spotify and the Sussexes was worth $20 million.

However, the contract is thought to have been terminated without full payment after Meghan and Harry failed to provide enough content to meet the productivity benchmark required.

Since last summer 12 episodes of Meghan's Archetypes podcast have been made for the streaming platform, featuring guests such as Serena Williams and Mariah Carey.

The Duchess is thought to be planning to continue her project and is looking for a new home for the podcast.

Simmons intervention yesterday is not the first time that he has been critical of the couple.

Shortly after joining the company last January was reported to have said it was "embarrassing" to be affiliated with the same company as Prince Harry.

He is reported to have said: "I'm so tired of this guy.

"What does he bring to the table? He just whines about s*** and keeps giving interviews.

"Who gives a s***? Who cares about your life?

"You weren't even the favourite son. You live in f****** Montecito and you just sell documentaries and podcasts and nobody cares what you have to say about anything unless you talk about the Royal Family and you just complain about them."