'Ink Master Rivals' Season 5 Spoilers: Josh Hibbard Gets Boot For Breaking Contract

'Ink Master Rivals' contestant Joshua Hibbard has shown "no remorse" over breaking the rules of the tattooing reality show following his elimination in Episode 11. The Spike television show had sent the Portland tattoo artist packing after he confessed to smoking marijuana to deal with his anxiety.

Hibbard, a favorite to win the competition, released a statement to fans after they showed their disapproval on Twitter using the hashtag "KeepJosh" in a bid to bring him back.

He wrote, "I was eliminated not for cheating, but for breaking a rule that was a conflict of my lifestyle. I feel no regret or remorse for my decisions; in fact, because of this experience I am more in favour [of] marijuana legalization."

At the start of its fifth season, 'Ink Master Rivals' had welcomed Hibbard and his rival Jason Clay Dunn from Season 3 among 18 contestants to battle it out for a $100,000 prize in an elimination-style competition.

However, leaving the competition has not dented his drive. Hibbard reportedly launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new clothing line, Instigate Clothing, which "supports instigating positive change in your life",

The clothing line features two t-shirt designs so far, with the campaign looking to raise $15,000 for equipment and an initial print.

Hibbard's statement, which ends with "don't be afraid to be an instigator", was also appreciated his fans, the production team and Spike TV. "This opportunity to compete has enabled me to test my boundaries and to communicate my art work and my point of view to millions of fans from around the world," he stated.

'Ink Master Rivals' airs on Spike TV, but can also be viewed on YouTube.