Amelia Dimoldenberg Mocks Ed Sheeran’s Backlash on SNL UK
The former host of Chicken Shop Date, Amelia Dimoldenberg, took a jab at Ed Sheeran during her lively opening monologue on Saturday Night Live UK.
“I’ve had the incredible opportunity to interview numerous celebrities, including Idris Elba, Cher, and even a world-renowned, red-haired puppet who has a hand up his backside telling him what to do,” the 32-year-old Dimoldenberg stated in her address on Saturday, September 26. She shared a clip from one of her Chicken Shop Date segments featuring Sesame Street character Elmo. Watch here.
She quickly interjected, “No, not that one,” as the camera cut to a picture of her with Sheeran, 35, from his 2021 appearance on Chicken Shop Date. (The show, where Dimoldenberg interviewed celebrities in a British chicken shop, concluded earlier this year.)
Sheeran faced backlash earlier this month when his Loop Tour opening act, Macklemore, was removed from the lineup due to criticism over his pro-Palestinian statements. (Macklemore, 43, had been dropped by Sheeran’s tour management after he chanted “Free Palestine” during two performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.)
Sheeran, who has since contributed $2 million towards global humanitarian efforts, denied having personally fired Macklemore. Several of his support acts have voluntarily exited the Loop Tour in solidarity with the “Thrift Shop” rapper.
The “Azizam” artist resumed his Loop Tour in Philadelphia on September 19, performing without any support acts, where he expressed regrets for making “mistakes.”
“I know my music gets criticized, and I’m always ready to accept that because I’m fortunate. Many of you enjoy my work, and honestly, I’m surprised,” Sheeran shared during his performance. “I’m not surprised that I’ve actually done it. You know, it’s just normal.”
He continued, “This week’s criticism has revolved around something far more significant, and I’ve had to consider [it] and make tough choices, and I have made mistakes, and I’m truly sorry. … This has placed me at the center of an essential, passionate debate regarding freedom of speech on one of the most complicated issues on the planet.”
On the same day, SNL UK humorously commented on the situation and criticized Sheeran for “sitting on the fence.”
“I don’t like to choose sides. I want to be inclusive to all of my fans—humans and robots alike. Much of my ticket sales come from scalping bots,” a cast member portraying Sheeran humorously stated to assist the monarchy in combating a supposed AI-led conflict. “You know, sometimes, in these situations, the bravest thing you can do is not speak at all.”
Sheeran, who has not publicly responded to the SNL UK jibe, was set to perform next at Boston’s Gillette Stadium on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, both of which were canceled due to inclement weather.
Saturday Night Live UK airs on Sky One live on Saturdays at 10 p.m. BST.
