Ed Sheeran plots TV chat to have his say following backlash over Macklemore tour axe as star sent online death threats

ED SHEERAN is considering having his say following the fierce backlash over a decision to drop rapper Macklemore from his US tour after he made pro- Palestine comments on stage. I can reveal the Shape Of You singer is keen to do a TV interview amid the controversy, which has led to him receiving online death threats. Ed Sheeran is considering having his say following the fierce backlash over a decision to drop rapper Macklemore from his US tour Credit: Getty Macklemore — real name Benjamin Haggerty — played his pro-Palestinian protest song Hind’s Hall in New Jersey Credit: Redferns More than 200,000 people have unfollowed Ed on Instagram since the drama erupted. And artists including Paloma Faith have criticised him for not speaking out on Gaza, saying: “Being apolitical is a political act in itself.” Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Ed was set to perform for 60,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, despite his opening and support acts quitting the Loop World Tour in solidarity with American star Macklemore. Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Danish group Lukas Graham withdrew, while Irish folk group Beoga, who have performed with Ed on every night of his latest trek, have also walked away. And Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas, who was due to open six of Ed’s South American dates later this year, is off, too. Now, Ed is weighing up a sit-down interview to set the record straight. A source said: “Ed feels he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He loves nothing more than performing and wants the tour to continue for his fans. “It is an incredibly difficult time for Ed and he wants to set the record straight. The online hate has spiralled out of control and he is avoiding social media.” Most read in Showbiz Security was beefed up at Lincoln Financial Field last night as Philadelphia police coordinated with Ed’s team. Philadelphia Police Department spokeswoman Jasmine Reilly told TMZ: “Our officers are talking to his team to ensure all appropriate measures are taken.” Macklemore — real name Benjamin Haggerty — played his pro-Palestinian protest song Hind’s Hall in New Jersey and told the crowd: “A big part of the reason I wanted to do this tour . . . is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart — Free Palestine.” The next day, at the MetLife Stadium, he declared: “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.” Macklemore shared a statement to his 8.8million Instagram followers to announce that he had been removed from the tour. In it, he called Ed a “brother” and said: “Nothing I’m writing here is out of spite or because I want to tear down his character. But as I told Ed multiple times, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth of what happened.” He added: “Ed was in a f***ed-up position. His apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before.” Jane sets sail for Glasto Jane McDonald is in talks over a set at next year’s Glastonbury festival Credit: Luke Dyson AFTER taking Mighty Hoopla by storm this summer, Jane McDonald has got a taste for festivals. The cruise ship queen drew one of the biggest crowds at the London event, singing Cake By The Ocean by DNCE, flanked by semi-naked sailors – and I can reveal she may now perform at Worthy Farm. A source said: “Jane and Glastonbury organisers are in very early talks for her to appear next year. She is such a gay icon and would be a perfect fit for the Sunday afternoon Legends slot.” Jane, who is currently on her Living The Dream tour, shot to fame 28 years ago on BBC docuseries, The Cruise. Earlier this year, she confessed she was often overlooked in her youth, saying: “I quite like being the underdog. I don’t mind it. I used to think, ‘Go on, watch this. I’m going to blow you away.’” She’s certainly had the last laugh. Stacey pal is Perrie funny Stacey Solomon joined pal Perrie Sian on stager for the podcaster’s live tour Credit: Click News and Media INFLUENCER and podcaster Perrie Sian had the audience in the palm of her perfectly manicured hand as she hosted an evening of hilarious shenanigans for her Can I Be Candid? live tour. Dressed in a Barbie pink mini-dress and sky-high stilettos, Perrie was joined on stage by her fella Ricky, her two BFFs, a rather impressive house band and a fully stocked bar. The raucous ‘set’ consisted of a roast, an interactive confessional, an audience Q&A, and a karaoke sesh with her pal Stacey Solomon. It felt like having a night out with a pal. Syd: Judge me Simon Sydnie Christmas says she is dreaming of becoming a judge on The X Factor Credit: instagram/sydniechristmas SYDNIE CHRISTMAS has revealed that she is hoping to be the next Cheryl Tweedy when The X Factor returns. The singer, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2024, said she would love to be on the judging panel. It comes after I revealed production company Talkback Thames are in discussions with ITV about a new version of the show that launched the careers of Leona Lewis and One Direction. Sydnie told me: “I would really like to be a judge on The X Factor. Perhaps I could fill Cheryl’s shoes? “I feel like there are so many people that would be banging down Simon Cowell’s door. “I am just one of them, patiently waiting in the background, hoping that Simon remembers I exist.” On Friday, Sydnie released her new single, Spirit, from her upcoming second album, The Artist. And it seems that she has the royal seal of approval after performing for Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Spirit Awards in London on Friday. She said: “It was so lovely to see Harry again. He’s so down to earth and genuinely has such a kind heart.” Hard Day for Fab Three Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson and Joseph Quinn were pictured filming for the Beatles movies Credit: Click News and Media BEATLEMANIA is back as filming returns to London for the upcoming Sam Mendes blockbuster movies. Barry Keoghan, who plays Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson, who stars as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison were pictured at the capital’s Marylebone Station. Paul Mescal, who plays Paul McCartney, was notably absent. They recreated scenes from the Fab Four’s 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night, with hordes of screaming fans chasing the band members. One onlooker said: “They appeared to be having a blast between takes as they laughed with the rest of the cast.” The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event is scheduled for release in 2028. Frankie teases return THE SATURDAYS singer Frankie Bridge has teased a comeback by revealing she is having vocal training. The What About Us hitmaker said that she is having lessons to “gain confidence” in the industry. She told the Motherkind podcast: “I’m starting back in vocal training. “Years ago, I kept getting asked to audition for musicals and stuff. And I was like, ‘I don’t really sing any more’. “Now I’m just going to do it for myself to gain my confidence back.” Band member Rochelle Humes suggested in January that The Saturdays, who went on hiatus in 2014, could reunite, saying: “I think we probably do owe the record label an album.” I think fans would love the new era. Even more woe for Wednesday Actress and model Eva Green has suffered an injury that has delayed filming for hit show Wednesday Credit: Getty NETFLIX’S smash hit Wednesday has hit the skids AGAIN. Filming of the third series of the Addams Family spin-off, starring Jenna Ortega, is on hiatus as scripts are being re-written. The latest setback comes just months after filming on the set of the global hit series, in Co Wicklow, Ireland, was forced to shut down. That was because former Bond girl Eva Green, who plays Ophelia, Morticia’s sister, suffered a nasty leg injury. Now scripts are being reworked as bosses allegedly weren’t happy with the storylines. A source said: “There have been some questions asked over the writing and the storylines involved in the latest scripts. It’s important that these issues are ironed out before the cast carry on filming, unfortunately it’s central to the show and can’t be ironed out in post- production.” Wednesday also paused filming in 2023, when production on the second season was put on hold due to the Hollywood writers’ strikes. Actress Thora Birch was also forced to pull out due to a family illness, with her character, Tamara Novak, scrapped. Netflix, which did not respond to requests for comment, clearly isn’t afraid to take it slow. But with the release date meant to be next year, it remains to be seen if it can meet the deadline. Wild time with Cardi US rapper Cardi B was pictured performing in a zebra catsuit in Las Vegas Credit: Getty CARDI B shows she has earned her stripes by performing in a zebra catsuit in Las Vegas. The US rapper wowed fans in a red cut-out outfit at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the T-Mobile Arena on Friday night. Cardi was seen blowing kisses and posing with fans backstage following her set. She shared her packed schedule with her 160 million Instagram followers, saying: “I feel like from 8.30 in the morning through to 2 in the morning I’m working.” Sounds like Cardi needs a holiday. Sabrina not to be Mis-T Sabrina Washington is going on a UK tour as a solo act after the Mis-Teeq reunion MIS-TEEQ brought the house down at OVO Arena Wembley last weekend with their One Night Only reunion gig – but Sabrina Washington isn’t finished yet. I can reveal that the powerhouse singer is going on a UK tour, but solo, without her bandmates Alesha Dixon and Su-Elise Nash. A source said: “Sabrina effectively took a year out from doing her own live shows because she wanted to respect the reunion and give it her complete attention. “But the reaction following Wembley has only strengthened plans for her to take her sound back on the road. “Once the reunion was agreed she felt the right thing to do was step back from that while the three women were working together. “Wembley has happened now. They achieved what they came back to do and Sabrina feels she can get back to work.” I can’t wait to see her shine . . . Comment now