The Voice Australia: Katy Perry pictured at airport during ‘live’ performance

CHANNEL Nine says it was forced to broadcast a ‘live’ performance by Katy Perry when she was at Sydney Airport because of the ‘complexities’ of the pop superstar’s performance.

CHANNEL Nine have moved to defend themselves against accusations of deception after Katy Perry was photographed at Sydney Airport last night at the same time she was performing “live” during the Voice Australia finale, clinched by ‘King’ Judah Kelly

The pop superstar was snapped preparing to leave Australia as the network broadcast what it said was a “live” performance by the 32-year-old.

In a statement to News Corp a Channel Nine spokesperson said: “There are instances where we have to pre-record a performance just prior to the broadcast because of the demands of staging.

“The production complexities of performances like Katy’s means sets can’t always be struck and re-set during the time allowed by a commercial break.”

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Katy Perry at Sydney Airport last night. Picture: Diimex

Perry chats with an airline representative at Sydney Airport last night. Picture: Diimex

In another case of TV fudging timelines, Perry also appeared as a “co-host” on Sunrise this morning.

What will happen when @KatyPerry co-hosts Sunrise…? Find out this morning! #sun7 🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/cdpkCVVuLw

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) July 2, 2017

When contacted by news.com.au, a Seven spokesperson confirmed the pop star’s segment was pre-recorded last week: “Katy Perry has recorded her portions of the show. We let fans know that last week, by inviting them to come down and see her during her appearance.”

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Katy Perry 'cohosting' Sunrise. Picture: Sunrise

Katy Perry bids farewell to Australia on her Instagram account. Picture: Instagram.

Meanwhile, ‘King’ Judah Kelly finally received his crown after winning this year’s season of The Voice.

The 22-year-old, with the goose-bump raising voice, had been tipped as the favourite to take the 2017 title — giving coach Delta Goodrem back-to-back victories in the Nine talent series.

‘King’ Judah Kelly with Delta Goodrem. Picture: Supplied/Nine

After a stunning duet with Goodrem of Beyonce’s I Was There and a solo performance of Climb Every Mountain, the Queensland former back-up singer claimed the season from runner-up Hoseah Partsch.

“I’m so excited,” Kelly told News Corp. “I’ve just loved every moment and I’m just really glad there are people supporting me.”

His winner’s single is Count On Me.

You can always count on @Judah_Kelly for a sublime performance like this! Will 'Count On Me' become his #TheVoiceAU winner's single? pic.twitter.com/xVvDlxIe7Y

— The Voice Australia (@TheVoiceAU) 2 July 2017

Banking the $100,000 prize money and contract with Universal Music, Kelly’s hope now is to harness his success from The Voice by cracking the music industry as a solo artist.

While he may not have conventional good looks or boy-band chiselled abs, he’s confident it won’t hold him back.

“The show is happy to work with you,” said Kelly. “(In terms of being commercial) I’m creating music that I love. And if I’m loving it then people listening will love it, too. The audience knows if you don’t love it.”

This is beyond. You go, @Judah_Kelly! #TheVoiceAU #KingJudah pic.twitter.com/HHSUdfuJMG

— The Voice Australia (@TheVoiceAU) 2 July 2017

His blind audition of Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey won him an instant fan following, which only grew with his Knockout round performance of Adele’s When We Were Young and Battles song of Miley Cyrus’ hit The Climb.

His semi-finals version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah peaked last week at number three on the iTunes charts.

“I like to keep things very simple and basic,” Kelly said. “The goal from here is just to make a living from music. If it becomes fame and millions of dollars then that’s a cool bonus.”

Originally published as The Voice Australia: Katy Perry pictured at airport during ‘live’ performance