Roger Waters has publicly branded Ed Sheeran a “little p***k” in a blistering video message posted to his social media accounts on Wednesday.
The Pink Floyd co-founder, 83, is the most prominent name to attack the ‘Shape of You’ singer, 35, since Sheeran removed Macklemore from his Loop Tour and declared his concerts were not a “political forum.” Waters’ intervention comes as a cascade of opening acts have abandoned the tour in solidarity with the ‘Thrift Shop’ rapper.
In the short clip, Waters opens with a dismissive “Ed who?” before turning his attention directly to the camera. He began by showing portraits of his Palestinian friends, including journalist and activist Bisan Owda, to his audience.
“Hey, its just a little message for Ed Sheeran,” Waters said in the video. “There’s two kinds of people in this world, Ed. There’s people who do the right thing – that rapper Macklemore would be one of those people.”
He continued: “And there’s people, many of them, sadly… Little f…excuse me, I nearly used the f word then. P***ks like you who do the wrong thing. Goodbye.”
Waters has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights for years and has repeatedly described the emotional toll of witnessing the conflict. During a 2024 appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he addressed the daily horror he said he experiences.
“I am prepared to admit that I am in tears over Gaza every morning when I wake up,” Waters said. “I’m only 80-years-old, I have never experienced the genocide of a whole people in front of my eyes. It’s happening every day, every day.”
The veteran musician also discussed visiting the occupied West Bank during a July interview with Tucker Carlson, where he described what he witnessed in stark terms.
“I saw the apartheid,” Waters shared. “I saw what was happening…they’ve created hell on Earth.”
Following that visit, Waters resolved to intensify his activism and use his platform to advocate for Palestinian equality. He acknowledged that his stance has made him a target for those opposed to his views.
“They have failed. I fight back,” Waters said of efforts to damage his career. He clarified during the Carlson interview that he has “nothing against Jewish people” and “couldn’t care less what religion anybody is,” adding: “Every word I’ve ever written is about encouraging empathy.”
Sheeran’s tour unravelled after he issued a statement explaining that multiple venues had informed him Macklemore would not be welcome at scheduled gigs due to pro-Palestine statements the rapper had been making onstage. Rather than cancel dates, Sheeran chose to proceed without his opener and keep his own views private.
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” Sheeran wrote in his post. He added that he hoped his shows would remain “a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”
The decision triggered an exodus of talent from the Loop Tour. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas, Sheeran’s own backing band Beoga, and Danish pop outfit Lukas Graham each announced their withdrawal while voicing support for Palestine and Macklemore.
Sheeran’s stance also drew fire from other corners of the entertainment world. Children’s YouTuber Ms Rachel said he was “wrong to be silent,” while Hacks star and comedian Hannah Einbinder posted to Instagram that she hopes the Grammy winner “gets a REALLY bad sun burn.”
Waters’ video broadside represents the most high-profile celebrity condemnation yet of Sheeran’s handling of the controversy, amplifying pressure on the British star as his tour continues to haemorrhage supporting acts.