American Idol fans furious after Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan eliminate ‘Garbage Man’ Doug Kiker

AMERICAN Idol fans are outraged after fan-favorite Doug Kiker was sent home by judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

The “garbage man” from Alabama won viewers over during his viral audition but failed to make it to the next round and was eliminated during Hollywood Week.

Katy, Lionel and Luke upset viewers when they sent Doug homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

"The Garbage Man" went viral after his impressive and humble first audition — “The Garbage Man” went viral after his impressive and humble first auditionCredit: ABC

Fans were livid the Alabama native was eliminatedCredit: Fox

Doug was in tears before he took the stage and said he was “just one step further to changing my family’s lives.”

He emotionally continued: “I hope I deserve a chance, I’ve been a good man my whole life.”

The Mobile, Alabama resident took the stage to sing Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and was given a standing ovation by his fellow contestants but did not impress the judges as much.

“He has trouble staying in the key,” Luke, 43, said of Doug who claimed to have no previous singing experience.

Lionel, 70, responded: “Well the problem is, because he’s singing acapella he doesn’t understand he’s in the wrong key.”

Doug sang Ain't No Mountain High Enough during his Hollywood performance — Doug sang Ain’t No Mountain High Enough during his Hollywood performanceCredit: ABC

The Idol contestant works as a garbage man in AlabamaCredit: ABC

“I love him but I’m just not sure,” the 35-year-old Roar singer said.

After careful deliberation, Doug was one of the many Idol hopefuls who got eliminated during the competitive Hollywood round.

He looked defeated as he exited to FaceTime his girlfriend: “I didn’t make it baby girl. I could have sang better but I messed up. But I think I did pretty well for it being my first time.”

The father-of-one showed gratitude for the experience: “It was definitely an amazing experience. A lot of first happened since I started American Idol. Thank you for that.”

The proud father said his "baby girl" was the reason he auditioned for Idol — The proud father said his “baby girl” was the reason he auditioned for IdolCredit: ABC

Doug won the hearts of both the judges and fans during his viral blind audition for his humble attitude and pure talent.

The trash-pick-up worker did not know what different musical keys were or how to do vocal warm-ups before he met the superstar trio.

Fans immediately expressed their anger online when the lovable garbage man was sent home.

“Wth garbage man gave #AmericanIdol all that promo & u cut him???” A viewer questioned.

Viewers immediately took to Twitter to express their outrage over the eliminationCredit: Fox

Fans said the Idol judges made the "wrong call" — Fans said the Idol judges made the “wrong call”Credit: ABC

Another disappointed fan wrote: “Wrong call by @AmericanIdol to eliminate Doug the garbage man!!!! #BringBackDoug”

Someone VERY angry about the outcome tweeted: “ @AmericanIdol, you MESS with people; it’s DISGUSTING! That guy #Douglas from Alabama … #Garbage man is EXCELLENT!

“You STUPID idiots! I don’t watch this trash show and made the exception tonight because of #Douglas; you IDIOTS, I won’t watch this crap again!”

An Idol watcher already hopes to see Doug back next year: “I want my garbage man back already. At the least i want next years idol to start with him coming back and re-auditioning. He deserves the chance and just his entire family deserves the world.”

American Idol is on Sunday’s and Monday’s at 8pm EST on ABC.

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