Ed Sheeran responds to cousin’s blistering remarks over Macklemore tour

| Senior TV Reporter Published October 5, 2026 8:15am Updated October 5, 2026 8:15am Ed Sheeran has briefly acknowledged his cousin’s social media takedown (Picture: Getty) Ed Sheeran briefly addressed the brutal comments his estranged cousin Jethro shared about him on social media. The Shape of You singer, 35, has faced a swathe of backlash after he dropped Macklemore from his tour last month. As the concert opener, the Thrift Shop rapper had shared a Free Palestine speech at a previous gig, which led to Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, among other stadium owners, threatening to cancel Sheeran’s concert unless Macklemore was removed. Following the axe, Macklemore launched his own mini Free Palestine tour, which has already sold out. Meanwhile, Sheeran has been faced with criticism for not backing his friend from all quarters, including family members. In a scathing takedown a couple of weeks ago, Jethro called his famous cousin ‘selfish’, ‘malicious’ and ‘cunning’, adding that he is a ‘coward’ and a ‘bad human’ in a lengthy Instagram caption littered with various accusations. Since then, he has also appeared on various platforms, such as the Don Lemon show and Piers Morgan Uncensored, to denounce Sheeran. His cousin, from whom he is now estranged, held nothing back (Picture: Jethro Sheeran / SWNS) Jethro even appeared on Piers Morgan to discuss the Macklemore situation (Picture: Piers Morgan Uncensored) Speaking to Morgan, the cousin insisted he wasn’t ‘jealous’ of the global singer and ‘witnessed him being a coward for almost 10 years and lying.’ Acknowledging the comments, the music artist recently said on stage at his Atlanta concert that he has received messages from his relative, whom he didn’t name. He shared that he hadn’t spoken to this ‘family member in a very long time’, telling the audience, ‘you might have seen [him] recently on social media’. As the Sapphire hitmaker continues his tour, he is doing it alone after all his other openers and support band pulled out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine. The Loop tour has been thrown into chaos since Macklemore was booted (Picture: Getty) Elsewhere, on SNL UK, Amelia Dimoldenberg aimed fire at Sheeran, whom she has previously interviewed on her Chicken Shop Dates show. On stage, she said: ‘I’ve been incredibly privileged to have done so many interviews with people like Idris Elba, Cher, and even a world-famous redheaded puppet with a hand up his a**e telling him what to say.’ Deals of the Day Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather I’ve found the Hoover gadget that could make cleaning your floors so much easier I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 The image behind her flashed Elmo before she delivered the punchline: ‘No, the other one’, as one of Sheeran flashed up on screen instead. Arrow MORE: Glastonbury 2027’s rumoured headliners after huge band gives disappointing update Arrow MORE: Jeremy Clarkson blasts Nadiya Hussain for accusing Ed Sheeran of crying ‘white tears’ Arrow MORE: Ed Sheeran cancels tour shows hours before start in ‘difficult decision’ Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.