'He is shady': Ed Sheeran's cousin calls him a 'coward' and 'not a good human'

It could be an awkward Christmas dinner at the Sheerans.

The fallout from the Macklemore saga continues for Ed Sheeran, with family members criticising him after the rapper was dropped from the singer’s United States tour for pro-Palestinian comments.

Jethro Sheeran, Ed Sheeran’s cousin, labelled the singer “selfish” and “malicious” on Instagram.

He also said he is “ashamed” of his cousin, whom he describes as “not a good person”.

“Finally the world and all his fans see through him. He’s not a good person, I don’t like his music so I can’t say he’s even a good artist,” Jethro Sheeran wrote.

“He’s honestly a selfish individual with malicious, cunning ways. ‘He kills you with kindness’ (His Words) I’m his first blood cousin and he screwed me over, made fun of my mental health and mental health in general,” he added.

“He is shady and he’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100% he’s a coward.”

Jethro Sheeran described his cousin Ed as 'shady', 'malicious' and 'not a good human'. Photo / Instagram

The cousin added that in his opinion, Ed Sheeran is “a bad human”.

“He only cared about himself and he puts out fake narrative that’s calculated just to keep everyone happy so he can do big private gigs and keep brand deals etc.”

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The cousin’s post is the latest public slamming of Sheeran, who has received widespread criticism since Macklemore was dropped from his US Loop tour last week.

Numerous celebrities have spoken out against Sheeran. His opening acts and even his support band quit his tour in solidarity with the American rapper.

One of Ireland’s biggest radio stations removed Sheeran’s music from the airwaves and, in Dunedin, an Ed Sheeran mural had “Free Palestine” added to it in response to the controversy.

Ed Sheeran and Macklemore had a longstanding friendship. Photo / Getty Images

Ed Sheeran performed in Philadelphia over the weekend and addressed the situation in tears as he read a statement about the saga.

“This is not usually how I would open the show, but before I play some songs tonight, I hope it’s okay if I say a few words,” he said.

“I’m used to my music being criticised ... This week the criticism was about something much more important ... I am making mistakes and I am so, so sorry.”

Sheeran continued: “I don’t want to disappoint fans, and I’ve never wanted to be an activist, musician, but this has put me in the middle of an important, compassionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.

The words “FREE PALESTINE” were painted across the bottom of Dunedin’s Ed Sheeran mural in Bath St, while red paint was splashed across the portrait and left dripping down his face and neck. Photo / Ben Tomsett

“But this is a humanitarian issue, and I cannot hide how I feel about it anymore.”

The English singer-songwriter said he sympathised with both sides of the Israel-Hamas war, telling the audience: “What happened in Israel, and at the Nova music festival on October 7, it was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain”.

He added: “What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation, loss of civilians’ lives. Children’s lives.

“And ... this systemic injustice we’re seeing unfolding the West Bank cannot be overlooked.”

Sheeran appeared to blame wealthy music venue owners, including American businessman Robert Kraft, for dropping Macklemore.

“I am deeply worried about the idea that venues should pre-approve content for performance,” he said in a scripted speech, adding “it should never happen in the free world”.

Sheeran was due to take the stage at 5.30pm local time but the start was pushed back to 8pm after his support acts and his backing band dropped out.

The Shape of You singer faces a growing online backlash over his response to Macklemore’s removal, with some fans demanding refunds, while others are trying to resell their tickets.