Ed Sheeran’s music taken off air by Irish radio station over Macklemore controversy

An Irish radio station has taken Ed Sheeran’s music off air after rapper Macklemore was removed from his US tour.

The radio station Classic Hits Radio took the decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s songs for the "foreseeable future" following a wave of listener complaints.

The Irish station, operated by Bay Broadcasting, confirmed the move would remain "under review."

Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, said: "Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran's music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered."

"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," he added.

It comes after Ed Sheeran's opening acts and his own band have quit his US tour in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who was cut from the musical lineup over his "free Palestine" remarks on stage criticizing Israeli government actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The backlash from Sheeran's touring companions came after the English-born singer-songwriter, one of the world's top-selling ‌recording artists, distanced himself from Macklemore's ouster, saying on Tuesday the decision to dump the rap star came from tour organizers, not him.