Ed Sheeran protegees Katseye 'cut ties' with star as Macklemore storm grows with protests planned at US show

Katseye have unfollowed Ed Sheeran on Instagram amid the growing crisis enveloping the British singer, as he faces protests at his first gig since Macklemore was dropped from his US tour.

Sheeran co-wrote Katseye’s single, Animal, which was released in July - but it has emerged that members Megan Skiendiel, Manon Bannerman, Yoonchae, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia LaForteza and Lara Raj were no longer in Sheeran’s followers list this week amid the backlash against the Shape of You hitmaker.

Raj began following Macklemore on Instagram, while both she and Skiendiel liked the post the rapper shared revealing he was removed from the remaining Loop tour dates he was scheduled to perform at after his Pro-Palestine speeches on stage.

Girl group Katseye have unfollowed Ed Sheeran

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Sheeran has said the decision to drop rapper Macklemore was made by his promoter, not by himself.

But it has not stopped a growing backlash against the singer taking a stand against the decision.

All of the opening acts for Sheeran’s ongoing The Loop tour announced their withdrawal from remaining dates, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe.

Sheeran’s backing band Beoga also pulled out of the tour, saying in an Instagram post that they "fully supported" the message shared by Macklemore.

While Pro-Palestine demonstrations are planned outside the stadium in Philadelphia where Sheeran will play his first show on the tour since the debacle began.

Some fans with tickets to the show have also said they are planning to protest inside the arena itself during the show.

Pro-Palestine protests are planned outside the US stadium where Ed Sheeran is due to play

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Sources have claimed he is “absolutely furious” at being placed under scrutiny and feels “thrown under the bus” by his friends.

“This felt very unfair on Ed and he’s understandably pretty hurt and angry that this has now begun to overshadow the tour,” an insider told the Daily Mail.

The source added: “Even though Ed is a very mild-mannered guy he will speak his mind when he has to. He’ll be absolutely furious at being put in this situation.

“He’s been thrown under a bus by several people he considers friends.”

He then launched into protest song Hind’s Hall, which condemns Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and was dedicated to pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. Images of the devastation in Gaza were shown whilst he performed.

Macklemore was dropped as a support act following comments he made about Gaza (Lewis Stickley/PA)

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Macklemore told the crowd that a large reason why he signed on to the tour was for the opportunity to speak on the ongoing conflict.

The following day, at his second appearance at the MetLife Stadium, he reiterated his previous message with a direct address to Jewish members in the audience.

“Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality,” he said.

Shortly after his remarks, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates.

On Monday, Macklemore announced he would no longer be playing the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour.

The 43-year-old said that despite his long-standing friendship with Sheeran, “it can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened”.

Macklemore said that billionaire Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft had organised the boycott, rallying other stadium owners who ultimately gave Sheeran the ultimatum: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues”.

“Ed was in a f***** up position,” the rapper wrote. “He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it had never been before.”

The following day, Sheeran issued a statement of his own, where he confirmed that Kraft had issued an ultimatum.

“I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care.”

He said his audiences often include children and young people “from all backgrounds”, which is why he does not use the stage for politics. Sheeran has also stepped up police presence at his next gig, which is in Philadelphia on Saturday amid planned pro-Palestine protests.