- Welsh singer Charlotte Church has criticised Ed Sheeran for choosing consumerism and capitalism over doing the right thing following the removal of rapper Macklemore from his tour.
- Macklemore was reportedly dropped from the tour over his pro-Palestine comments, a move Sheeran initially blamed on venue promoters while refusing to enter public debate.
- All of Sheeran's support acts subsequently withdrew from the tour in protest, forcing the singer to perform alone at a delayed gig surrounded by protesters.
- Addressing the crowd on stage, Sheeran apologised for his handling of the situation and described the devastation and civilian loss of life in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable.
- The controversy also led to Sheeran being mocked on Saturday Night Live UK in a sketch parodying his reluctance to take sides in major conflicts.
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