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An Irish radio station has removed Ed Sheeran from its playlist following listeners' request amid the Macklemore controversy.
This marks the latest blow Ed is facing after Macklemore was removed from his tour following his vocal support for Palestine.
Earlier this week, providing an explanation amid the backlash, Ed said that the decision to drop the rapper was the promoter's, following which all support acts on his Loop tour, including his backing band Beoga, withdrew from all remaining dates.
Ed Sheeran dropped by Irish radio station
Classic Hits Radio has confirmed it will no longer play tracks by the Shape of You crooner for the "foreseeable future" after receiving listener feedback regarding the fallout.
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 judgement on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events."
The statement added, "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."
"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."
Macklemore donates his tour earnings to Palestinian charities
The new snub for Ed came after Macklemore shared that he has donated his $1 million tour net earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people, and challenged Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to match his donation.
Addressing Kraft, he added that "whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this, Palestinian lives are worth protecting, a Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth".
The businessman responded to the post by sharing that Ed Sheeran had asked him to match his $2 million donation before Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, announced his pledge.
Ed Sheeran's next tour top
Ed Sheeran's next performance is scheduled for September 19 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Graham and Rowe had been due to open for him.
He has 17 dates still left on the tour across North and South America, with the final show scheduled for December 11 in Mexico City.
