Ed Sheeran Faces Family Backlash as Cousin Jethro Brands Him a 'Selfish Individual'

Ed Sheeran is facing a blistering attack from within his own family after cousin Jethro Sheeran branded him a 'selfish individual', a 'coward' and 'not a good person' in a lengthy social media post.

Jethro, a musician who performs as Alonestar, used the fallout surrounding Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's Loop Tour to revive a series of longstanding personal and professional grievances against his famous cousin.

'I'm Ashamed of My Cousin Ed'

'Finally it's all coming out! I'm ashamed of my cousin Ed and what he's done,' Jethro wrote.

He claimed that fans were finally beginning to 'see through' Sheeran and described him as a 'selfish individual with malicious, cunning ways'.

Those descriptions represent Jethro's personal opinion and have not been independently substantiated.

Jethro also alleged that Sheeran had 'screwed me over' and mocked his mental health. He further claimed his cousin had harmed him professionally and financially, including through the removal of his music.

Those allegations have not been independently verified.

The musician then pointed to their shared history, claiming he helped Sheeran during the early stages of Ed's career.

Jethro said he had known his cousin throughout his life, taken him onto his stage and into his first studio, and performed on some of his early songs. He also recalled that he had supported him when he was bullied at school.

The history between the pair gives Jethro's criticism a particularly personal dimension, with his post presenting the current controversy as only the latest chapter in a much older dispute between them.

Jethro Calls Sheeran a 'Coward'

Jethro then connected his family grievances directly to the controversy surrounding Macklemore.

'He is shady, and he's dropped Macklemore himself. I believe 100% he's a coward,' Jethro alleged.

'In my opinion, he's a bad human. Just my opinion from my experiences.'

Sheeran has disputed the central premise of that accusation. He has said Macklemore's removal was the promoter's decision rather than his own after upcoming venues indicated concerts could not proceed with the rapper on the lineup.

Jethro provided no evidence establishing that Sheeran personally removed Macklemore.

Claims Ed Protects His Public Image

Jethro's post also went beyond the tour dispute by accusing Sheeran of carefully managing his public image for commercial reasons.

He alleged that his cousin puts out calculated 'fake narratives' to keep people happy so he can continue securing major private performances and brand deals.

Again, Jethro did not provide evidence substantiating that allegation, which concerns Sheeran's motives and should be understood as his cousin's personal claim.

Jethro ended the extraordinary family broadside by declaring Sheeran was 'not a true Sheeran' and telling readers not to judge the wider family because of him.

Screenshots of the remarks have since continued circulating online as the family dispute attracts wider attention.

His intervention goes considerably beyond criticism of the Macklemore controversy. The tour fallout appears to have provided a public platform for a family dispute involving allegations about money, music, mental health and their relationship stretching back years.

For Sheeran, an already widening tour controversy has now brought a deeply personal family feud into public view.