Jeremy Clarkson has defended Ed Sheeran amid a major ongoing controversy.
The Oxfordshire farmer and broadcaster has spoken out after the singer-songwriter found himself at the centre of a row surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from the US leg of his Loop tour.
Macklemore was reportedly dropped from the tour after saying “Free Palestine” during a live performance.
The decision sparked a backlash, with support acts due to appear alongside Mr Sheeran publicly expressing solidarity with the rapper before pulling out of the remaining dates.
The dispute has since drawn in a number of high-profile figures, including Clarkson’s Farm star Mr Clarkson, who used his column in The Sun to defend the musician.
Mr Clarkson said Mr Sheeran was “unbelievably polite and likeable” when they met and said a mutual friend had assured him he remained the same person today.
Writing in the column, he said: “He literally said nothing at all and, for that, his fans are trying to offload tickets for his forthcoming tour, his support acts have all walked and, from what I hear, even his band is refusing to play with him.
“They want him to sound off on Palestine, and because he’s not really that sort of person, the keyboard warriors have sent him to Coventry.”
The former Top Gear presenter also criticised Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who has publicly challenged Mr Sheeran over the controversy.
While stressing that he had no objection to Mr Waters’s views on Israel, Mr Clarkson questioned criticism directed at the singer.
He wrote: “But how can you protest about Ed when you don’t know what he thinks? Because he hasn’t told us.”
Earlier this week, Mr Sheeran issued a statement on Instagram addressing the growing row.
He said: “I am not complicit. 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.
“Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
The singer also said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and described the suffering on both sides as “a human tragedy”.
Singer Ms Faith has also entered the debate, arguing that “being apolitical is a political act” and criticising Mr Sheeran’s decision not to take a more public stance.
Mr Clarkson released the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm on Prime Video, filmed in Oxfordshire, earlier this year in June.
Filming for series six is currently underway in the county with both Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall being involved as usual.
