Ed Sheeran dropped by radio station in latest blow to singer over Macklemore tour controversy

A radio station has announced it will no longer play music by Ed Sheeran , the latest blow to the singer amid the ongoing controversy after Macklemore was removed from his tour.

The row began when Macklemore said that he had been removed from the singer’s Loop tour after he made pro-Palestine comments during a show in New Jersey earlier this month.

Following the US rapper’s exit, all other artists scheduled to appear on the tour decided to also drop out in solidarity with Macklemore.

Ed Sheeran’s music has been dropped by an Irish radio station PA Archive Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother, and Danish singer Lukas Graham , as well as Sheeran’s backing band Beoga, all dropped out, sharing messages of support to Macklemore as they announced their withdrawal.

Classic Hits Radio in Ireland said that the Galway Girl singer will no longer be featured on the show for the “foreseeable future”, in response to “reaction from our listeners”.

Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs the station, said: “Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered.

“It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.

“As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.

Macklemore said that he had been removed from the singer’s Loop tour after he made pro-Palestine comments PA Archive “Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views.

“In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time.”

Sheeran has said the decision to drop Macklemore from his tour was made by promoters and venue owners, though defended his choice to stay politically neutral.

In an Instagram statement, he said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine", and described the "suffering and pain caused on both sides" as a human tragedy.

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