By Lucy Caulkett-
Ed Sheeran’s family feud has erupted into the public spotlight once again after his cousin Jethro (pictured)Sheeran branded the global pop star a “coward” and accused him of lying during a fiery interview with Piers Morgan. Jethro, a rapper who was once close to his famous cousin, made the explosive comments during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where he addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore and Ed’s Loop Tour.
In a preview of the interview shared by Piers Morgan, Jethro rejected suggestions that his criticism of Ed was motivated by jealousy, despite the vast difference between their respective careers and fortunes.
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“Seeing what he did to Macklemore, I believe he kicked him off that show,” Jethro claimed. “I witnessed him being a coward for almost 10 years and lying.”
Jethro, 44, then questioned what he could possibly be jealous of, saying: “People think I’m jealous of him… but jealous of what? His looks, his guitar?” The remarks come amid controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. Macklemore had publicly expressed pro-Palestinian views, prompting debate over whether his political statements played a role in his removal from the tour. Ed has maintained that the decision was not his and has apologised to fans amid the fallout.
He has also spoken about feeling abandoned by people close to him during the controversy. Jethro offered a very different account during his interview, claiming that Ed was personally responsible for Macklemore’s departure. Those allegations remain claims made by Jethro, and Ed has denied being responsible for the decision. The extraordinary dispute is particularly striking because Jethro and Ed were reportedly close when they were younger. The cousins are said to have spent school holidays together making music, sharing an early connection through their mutual interest in hip-hop and song writing.
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Ed Sheeran’s cousin Jethro(left) launches scathing attack against global star Ed(right)
Their relationship reportedly deteriorated as Ed’s career began to take off. Ed went on to become one of Britain’s biggest musical exports, transforming from a young singer-songwriter performing in relatively small venues into a global superstar. His breakthrough album produced the hit singles “The A Team” and “Lego House”, while subsequent records delivered international successes including “Sing”, “Thinking Out Loud”, “Photograph”, “Shape of You”, “Perfect” and “Bad Habits”. “Shape of You” became one of his defining global hits, while “Perfect” cemented his reputation for blockbuster romantic ballads. His collaborations have also included major artists such as Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Eminem.
Against that backdrop, Jethro pursued his own career in music, performing and recording as a rapper. One of the reported flashpoints in their relationship involved a song called “Raise Em Up”, which Jethro recorded with Ed in 2010. The track later appeared in the 2013 film All Stars. Jethro subsequently recorded a remix which reportedly credited Ed, and used an image of the superstar in its artwork. According to reports, he hoped the release could help support the fledgling music career of his daughter, Skyla Rain Sheeran. The situation allegedly escalated when lawyers representing Ed’s record label, Warner Music, contacted Jethro and threatened legal action unless references to Ed were removed. The episode reportedly deepened the rift between the cousins, who had once shared a passion for music.
Jethro says he is “ashamed” of his cousin
Jethro has previously taken his criticism of Ed to social media, making clear that his feelings toward his cousin go far beyond the latest dispute.
In a Facebook post, he wrote that he was “ashamed” of Ed and claimed that the public was finally seeing what he described as the singer’s true character.
He also said he did not like Ed’s music, and therefore could not describe him as a good artist.
Jethro subsequently repeated his accusations over Macklemore, describing Ed as “shady” and saying: “I believe 100 per cent he’s a coward.”
He stressed that these were his personal views, adding that his opinion was based on his own experiences with his cousin.
During the latest Piers Morgan Uncensored interview, Jethro again insisted that he does not hate Ed. But Piers challenged that claim, telling him that his comments “sound like you really do”.
The interview then took an unexpected turn when Jethro began rapping while Piers sat largely stone-faced. Piers later described the encounter on X as “one of the weirdest interviews of my career”, suggesting that even by the standards of his often provocative interview programme, Jethro’s appearance had left an impression.
The full interview is expected to provide further context to Jethro’s allegations and his account of what caused the breakdown in the cousins’ relationship.
The family feud comes at a difficult moment for Ed, whose name has been drawn into the wider controversy surrounding Macklemore.
The dispute has also raised questions about Ed’s upcoming performances. TMZ has reported that the show at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts could face complications.
The stadium is owned by Robert Kraft, who has been reported as one of the figures involved in efforts by stadium owners to push for Macklemore’s removal.
For Ed, the controversy represents an unusual distraction from a career that has otherwise been defined by extraordinary commercial success.
From “The A Team” and “Thinking Out Loud” to “Shape of You”, “Perfect” and “Bad Habits”, he has built one of the most recognisable catalogues in modern British pop music.
But now, alongside questions about his touring arrangements and the Macklemore dispute, Ed is facing an intensely personal public confrontation with a member of his own family.
The confrontation is unedifying, and reflects badly on Jethro, especially because of the length to which he has spoken disparagingly about his cousin, without whom, he is unlikely to have achieved what he has so far in the music industry. only time will tell whether the two cousins are able to move on from this bitter dispute.
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