Ed Sheeran's cousin Jethro has publicly criticized the pop star, calling him a "coward" and stating that he is "not a good person," in response to Sheeran's decision to drop rapper Macklemore from his tour after Macklemore spoke out in support of Palestine. The feud between the two family members resurfaced due to past disputes over music credits and legal issues involving Jethro’s daughter Skyla Rain Sheeran.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Ed Sheeran's cousin, Jethro Sheeran, criticized him on Facebook, calling him a "coward" and stating he is "not a good person," over his decision to drop American rapper Macklemore from his tour. The controversy began when Macklemore delivered pro-Palestinian speeches at two of Sheeran's concerts in MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Jethro accused Ed of hiding behind the decision rather than standing up for free speech. Despite being nine years older than Ed, Jethro claims they were close when growing up but now expresses shame over their relationship. Sheeran maintains he had no role in Macklemore's removal from his tour and has always kept his political views private.
Written for “Ed Sheeran Palestine Controversy” on 2026-09-18,
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Ed Sheeran's cousin has branded the pop star a 'coward' and said he is 'not a good person' after Macklemore was dropped from the singer's tour over his support for Palestine.
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Macklemore → see → Palestine
The American rapper delivered pro-Palestinian speeches and donned the keffiyeh scarf while opening two of Sheeran's performances in New Jersey earlier this month.
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rapper → deliver → Jersey
Jethro Sheeran, who is nine years older and has been locked in a bitter feud with Sheeran in the past, responded to the row by saying he was 'ashamed' of his cousin.
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he → lock → cousin
In a furious post on Facebook, he said: 'Finally it's all coming out!
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it → say → Facebook
I'm ashamed of my cousin Ed and what he's done.
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he → do → what
'Finally the world and all his fans see through him.
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world → see → him
He's not a good person, I don't like his music so I can't say he's even a good artist.'
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he → like → music
Sheeran, who is a long-term friend of Macklemore, has insisted he had nothing to do with the decision to drop him from the tour.
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he → insist → tour
Insiders previously told the Daily Mail the episode had left Sheeran 'seriously upset', because he has always been careful to keep his own politics private.
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he → tell → politics
Jethro Sheeran added that despite the pair spending the school holidays writing tracks together, his cousin 'screwed him over' once he became famous.
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he → add → him
Jethro Sheeran (right) and his famous cousin Ed are at the centre of a bitter family row
Macklemore (R) was dropped from Sheeran's (L) tour after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestine
The bone of contention that sparked the feud centres around a track called Raise Em Up which Jethro recorded with Ed in 2010.
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Jethro → drop → 2010
It also featured in the 2013 movie All Stars.
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It → feature → movie
Jethro had recorded a remixed version which co-credited Ed and featured his face in artwork.
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which → record → artwork
He had hoped that re-releasing the track would help raise funds to help his daughter, Skyla Rain Sheeran, who is also an aspiring singer, get a start on a career in music.
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who → hop → music
But lawyers working for Ed's record label, Warner Music, soon contacted Jethro to say they would take him to court unless he dropped references to Ed on the track.
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he → work → track
He is shady and he’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100 per cent he’s a coward,' Jethro continued in his post on Facebook.
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Jethro → drop → Facebook
'In my opinion he’s a bad human.
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he → ’ → opinion
Several celebrities have backed Macklemore's comments on Palestine, including Lewis Hamilton, who wrote: 'Thank you for using your voice, standing with you.'
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who → back → you
Activist Greta Thunberg said: 'Full solidarity and free Palestine.
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Thunberg → say → solidarity
Artists' very active silence in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten.'
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silence → forget → injustice
Pop star Paloma Faith added: 'You are a rare and important voice...thank you for existing....
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You → add → you
Jethro, who is nine years older than Ed, says that when the now world famous singer was growing up the cousins would 'hang out', writing and recording tracks together
Macklemore delivered his politically-motivated speeches when he opened Sheeran's shows at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.
He was due to open for the singer at eight of the remaining ten shows on his tour in America, but on Monday it was announced he had been dropped.
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he → say → Monday
Breaking his silence amid the backlash, Sheeran insisted Macklemore coming off the tour was the 'promoter's decision', not his.
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coming → break → tour
He added his audience is often young people 'from different backgrounds' who do not expect his shows to be a political forum.
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shows → add → backgrounds
Sheeran lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers in 24 hours amid the row over Palestine.
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Sheeran → lose → Palestine
And after the news of Macklemore's departure, all of Sheeran's remaining support acts have also stepped away from the tour.
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all → remain → tour
The Daily Mail has contacted Sheeran's representatives for comment.
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Mail → contact → comment
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