Ms Rachel shares scathing statement slamming Ed Sheeran for decision to drop Macklemore from tour

Popular children's YouTuber Ms Rachel, real name Rachel Griffin Accurso, has called out Ed Sheeran over the decision to drop Macklemore from his supporting act role for the US dates on his tour.

Macklemore had opened for Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 September when he voiced his support for Palestine on stage before the crowd.

Since then he's been dropped from the tour as some venues said they wouldn't let the gigs go ahead if he was opening for them, and Sheeran released a statement today (15 September) saying he 'tried to build a bridge' in the past week but was unable to and dropping Macklemore 'was the promoter's decision, it was not mine'.

He added that while he didn't make his views public 'it doesn't mean I don't care', but he wants to keep his performances non-political.

Ms Rachel has responded with a statement of her own in the form of several social media posts where she said: "It's not wrong to say Palestinian people should be able to be free, and Palestinian kids should be able to grow up.

"It's wrong to be silent during a genocide."

Elsewhere in her statement she continued to advocate for Palestinians as she said: "Imagine looking back 20 years from now at yourself kicking someone off a tour because they spoke out during a genocide that has killed over 20,000 kids."

Ms Rachel also argued that Ed Sheeran was able to make political statements as he'd done a concert in support of Ukraine's defence against Russia's invasion 'but considers Palestine too dangerous and political'.

"Ed Sheeran had an opportunity [to] show that we won't be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine," she wrote.

"Instead he caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows. A genocide is happening in Gaza. We all need to speak out against it."

Sheeran's tour is supposed to be going ahead as planned with the next tour date set for 19 September in Philadelphia, though he'll have to fill some spots on his lineup as Irish performer Aaron Rowe has also announced he's withdrawing from the tour.

Rowe released a statement announcing that he was quitting as a support act for Sheeran, saying Ed was a friend and 'changed my life' but he couldn't keep going.

Rowe said: "But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.

"I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.

"I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal."

LADbible Group has contacted Ed Sheeran's representatives for comment.