Shape of You singer Ed Sheeran recently shared a rare detail about himself that has garnered criticism online.
The 34-year-old, in a recent interview, opened about his large family and culture, while admitting that he identifies himself as 'Irish'.
"So, I identify culturally as Irish, but I was obviously born and raised in Britain”, he added while speaking on The Louis Theroux podcast.
Many social media users took it as an opportunity to criticize the Photograph singer. "That Galway Girl must've spun his head around”, wrote one critic.
Meanwhile, another commented, "Identifies just means to pretend.”
The brutal remarks made Sheeran uneasy, who felt that there is a need to address the matter.
Taking it to Instagram, he posted a subtle response ‘for those with an opinion after what he said about his heritage.’
Ed wrote, “My dad is Irish. My family is Irish. I have an Irish passport. The culture I was brought up around is Irish. The first music I learnt was Irish.”
“Just coz I was born somewhere else doesn’t change my culture, I can be allowed to feel connection to a place half of my family is from”, he stated.
Shivers vocalist also unveiled in the chat show that Ireland is his ‘second home musically’.