A few weeks ago, the worst thing you could say about Ed Sheeran was that his music was a bit bland. A Guardian music writer once compared it to “aural wallpaper”. Which was a little bit rude to wallpaper: there are some very interesting designs out there!

I don’t need to tell you what people are saying about Sheeran now, do I? The pop star has been in the news for days after he apparently crumbled when billionaire Robert Kraft demanded Macklemore be pulled from his tour because of the rapper’s pro-Palestine advocacy.

As if he didn’t already look pathetic enough, Sheeran then released a statement throwing Macklemore under the bus. “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram. Macklemore, he said, had “asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist”. (In other words: “I barely know the guy! Macklemore begged to be on my tour and I was kind enough to say yes!’)

The pop star also gave the both-sides treatment to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and he said he didn’t like to be “political”. Except, of course, when it comes to causes like Ukraine, which he knows he won’t get into any sort of trouble for supporting. I won’t rehash everything that’s been said about Sheeran’s cowardice, but please enjoy this viral TikTok where a woman called Erin Tatum cheekily welcomes Sheeran to the disability community. “My back is full of metal,” she says, “so I too know exactly what it feels like when your spine doesn’t work like it used to! Free Palestine.”

Kraft isn’t the only billionaire trying to stifle criticism of........

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