Ed Sheeran loses 200,000 Instagram followers as tour acts gain 1.6m

Ed Sheeran has lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers in a matter of days, while five artists who were dropped from or quit his tour have gained a combined 1.638 million followers.

The sharp divergence comes as backlash grows over Macklemore’s removal from the US leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during a performance, Newsweek reported.

Sheeran said in a statement on Tuesday that Macklemore’s removal was not his decision. The 35-year-old singer said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and described the suffering on “both sides” as a “human tragedy”.

The backlash has intensified since the statement, with all of the remaining support acts now announcing their departures from the tour.

Finneas, the musician and brother of pop star Billie Eilish, confirmed that he would no longer perform on the tour. Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish folk group Beoga, which has previously performed with Sheeran, also announced their departures.

Together, the five artists have gained 1.638 million followers, more than seven times the number Sheeran has lost.

Newsweek said it contacted representatives for Sheeran, Macklemore, Finneas, Graham, Beoga and Rowe for comment.