WINCHESTER’S MP has criticised Spotify over its reported £30million podcast deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex saying it “sticks in the craw” of struggling artists.

Steve Brine made the claim as a senior executive from the streaming service faced MPs yesterday and defended the agreement with the Royal couple that was announced in December.

Horacio Gutierrez, the platform's head of global affairs, told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee that “there is a market for certain talent because they command a certain amount of consumption”.

Mr Brine told Mr Gutierrez their deal with Harry and Meghan “sticks in the craw of some of the artists who are driving Uber cars right now to pay the rent".

Mr Gutierrez said: “Like a lot of our services, there is a market for certain talent because they command a certain amount of consumption.

“We don't get to negotiate directly with artists the way we negotiate with podcasters or people who create podcasts so the structure of that market is very different.”

He added: “The product is valued based on how many users it can attract, how many streams it will attract, which in turn determines how many advertisers are willing to advertise on the podcast which determines the economic opportunity, there's a market that's emerging for talent in that regard."

When asked by Mr Brine whether the Duke and Duchess have saved the music industry, Mr Gutierrez responded: “That seems a bit premature.

“They're not the only act that we've signed, we've signed dozens of those and we'll continue to do that.”

Spotify announced in December that the Sussexes will produce and host their own shows as part of the newly formed Archewell Audio.

The firm has not revealed what the contract is worth, but The Mirror reported the Sussexes would be paid £30million - other sources put it closer to £20million.