Johnny McDaid defends Ed Sheeran amid tour controversy

Snow Patrol songwriter and musician Johnny McDaid has publicly voiced his support for longtime friend and collaborator Ed Sheeran, describing their relationship in deeply personal terms amid continued controversy surrounding the singer’s US tour.

McDaid, who has worked closely with Sheeran for more than a decade, spoke about their friendship while reflecting on their songwriting partnership. The Times recently profiled McDaid ahead of Snow Patrol’s return to the stage, highlighting the longstanding creative relationship between the pair.

The comments come as Sheeran continues to face criticism following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the remaining US dates of his tour. Macklemore had been scheduled to appear as an opening act before being dropped following controversy surrounding his outspoken pro-Palestinian comments.

Sheeran subsequently addressed the situation publicly, saying the decision had been made by tour organisers rather than by him. He also expressed regret over how the situation was handled and criticised the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.

Against that backdrop, McDaid has continued to speak warmly about Sheeran, focusing on the character of the person he has known personally rather than the wider public debate.

Their professional partnership stretches across some of Sheeran’s biggest songs. McDaid is a co-writer of “Shape of You” and “Bad Habits,” two of Sheeran’s major international hits. At the 2026 BMI London Awards, McDaid was honoured with the BMI President’s Award for his songwriting career. He also received Million-Air Awards recognising millions of US performances of both songs.

The Times’ recent interview with McDaid also explores his songwriting success with Sheeran, illustrating how their professional relationship developed into a close friendship.

McDaid’s public support does not resolve the wider debate surrounding Sheeran’s handling of the Macklemore situation, but it offers another perspective from someone who has worked alongside the singer for years.

As criticism and discussion continue online, McDaid’s comments underline the distinction between judging a public controversy and speaking about a longstanding personal relationship. For McDaid, his experience of Sheeran is shaped not only by their success in the music industry but also by years of friendship, collaboration and shared creative work.

The comments arrive at a significant moment for both musicians, with McDaid celebrating a major career honour while Sheeran continues navigating scrutiny over decisions surrounding his tour and its performers.

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