Ed Sheeran Sparks Controversy over Charity Single and Soccer Match Encounter
Over the past few days, a heated debate has been brewing around Ed Sheeran’s involvement in the Band Aid charity Christmas single "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" After participating in a 30th-anniversary remake of the single in 2014, Sheeran recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the megamix of past versions, released by Band Aid yesterday, which featured his voice without his permission. In a candid statement, Sheeran revealed, "Had I been given the choice, I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals. My perspective on the narrative surrounding this charity has evolved significantly over the past decade."
However, not everyone shares Sheeran’s sentiments. Promoter Harvey Goldsmith was quick to dismiss the criticism, labeling those who voiced concerns as "busybodies and woke do-gooders." Sheeran has chosen not to respond to Goldsmith’s remarks, instead focusing on his latest musical project.
Coincidentally, Sheeran has just released a new Christmas song, "Under The Tree," which is featured on the soundtrack of Netflix’s upcoming Christmas film That Christmas. The song tells the heartfelt story of a character who is desperate to spend Christmas with his dad but is unable to do so. Sheeran explained on Instagram, "This song is inspired by a poignant scene in the film that highlights the painful reality of spending Christmas alone, a struggle many people face every year." The song’s emotional tone and narrative are quintessential Ed Sheeran, as evident in the accompanying video.
This new release comes at a time when Sheeran is navigating a separate controversy surrounding a post-match encounter at a Manchester United soccer game. As reported by Sky News, Sheeran interrupted a live interview between Manchester United’s manager Ruben Amorim and a sports analyst to hug Jamie Redknapp, a friend and fellow fan of Ipswitch, the opposing team. Although Sheeran later apologized on Instagram, stating that he was unaware of the interview in progress, the incident has sparked a heated debate on social media.
Many have criticized Sheeran’s actions, with some labeling him "rude" and "disrespectful." However, others see no issue with the brief interruption. Sheeran addressed the backlash with a lighthearted apology, joking that he felt "a bit of a bellend" for the misunderstanding. Despite the commotion, Sheeran remained enthusiastic about the match, congratulating all involved and expressing his appreciation for the game.
Watch Ed Sheeran’s new music video for "Under The Tree" below.
