Ed Sheeran’s music removed from Irish radio station after calls from listeners

| Senior TV Reporter Published September 17, 2026 1:41pm Updated September 17, 2026 1:42pm Galway Girl singer Ed Sheeran has become embroiled in controversy this week over the decision to drop Macklemore from his tour (Picture: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock) An Irish radio station has decided to stop playing Ed Sheeran’s music in the wake of Macklemore’s removal from his US stadium tour. The Galway Girl singer has become embroiled in controversy over the decision, after the rapper’s Free Palestine speech on stage reportedly resulted in billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft – who is a supporter of and donor to the Israeli state – lobbying for his removal as a support act. All the other support acts on Sheeran’s Loop tour subsequently shared messages in solidarity with Macklemore and dropped out of the remaining tour dates. Classic Hits Radio, which is based in Ireland, has now decided to remove Sheeran’s music from the airwaves for the ‘foreseeable future’, after listener feedback. Several of Sheeran’s former support acts are Irish, or of Irish heritage. Aaron Rowe’s statement on departing the tour noted that the Irish ‘know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation’, in reference to Israel’s brutal ongoing military action in Palestine. 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. Aaron Rowe’s statement noted that the Irish ‘know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation’ (Picture: AP Photo/Scott A Garfitt) Macklemore has donated his $1million (£747,000) tour net earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people (Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for MTV) ‘It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events. ‘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. ‘Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views. ‘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.’ The station said the decision to drop Sheeran’s music would remain ‘under review’. Classic Hits Radio, which is based in Ireland, has decided to remove Sheeran’s music from the airwaves for the ‘foreseeable future’ (Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Sheeran has previously said he identifies culturally as Irish, despite being born and raised in England. His father hails from Belfast and the singer-songwriter holds an Irish passport. When asked on the Louis Theroux Podcast last year if he gets ‘a lot of love’ in Ireland, the singer said: ‘I’d say it’s basically my second home, musically. I’d say Ireland is the place that I am most successful musically.’ Since being dropped from the tour, Macklemore has donated his $1million (£747,000) tour net earnings to charities supporting Palestinian people, and challenged Gillette Stadium owner Kraft to match his donation. The businessman has since responded, claiming Sheeran had asked him to match his own $2m (£1.49m) donation before Macklemore announced his pledge. Kraft has not specified which organisations his donation will be made to, only stating it will be ‘to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis’. Sheeran’s next performance is scheduled for September 19 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Arrow MORE: Ireland boycotts Eurovision Song Contest 2027 due to ‘ongoing loss of lives in Gaza’ Arrow MORE: Roger Waters brands Ed Sheeran a ‘p***k’ in scathing takedown over Macklemore Arrow MORE: Finneas leads artists dropping out of Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore controversy Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.