Ed Sheeran's next US concerts cancelled due to storm warning

Ed Sheeran's concerts in Massachusetts on Friday and Saturday have been cancelled because of severe weather warnings in the area.

The singer had been scheduled to perform two shows at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston, as part of his current US tour.

The tour has been in the headlines because of a row over a decision to drop Sheeran's support act Macklemore for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage. Stadium owners including the Gillette Stadium's Robert Kraft lobbied for his removal.

A statement from the venue said: "Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, the promoter and tour have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium."

It added: "The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority.

"Refunds are available now at the point of purchase. Ticketholders who purchased through Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded."

Weather warnings for high winds are in force in the area until the early hours of Sunday, and officials have told drivers to minimise travel.

Sheeran was at the eye of a very different storm last week after the decision to drop Macklemore from his tour.

The decision came after the rapper made on-stage comments at earlier concerts including calling for "free Palestine" and referring to "genocide" in Gaza, as well as showing images of Gaza.

Kraft, who is Jewish, accused the US rapper of hate speech and said Macklemore would not be allowed to appear at the Gillette Stadium, the home of his New England Patriots American football team.

Sheeran said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by his promoter, not by him. The promoter said venue owners including Kraft would have refused to let the concerts take place if Macklemore was on the bill.

Macklemore's removal from the tour led Sheeran's other support and backing artists to pull out in protest, and sparked a heated debate over free speech and the role of politics in music.

Returning to the stage last weekend, Sheeran told fans he "had to take and make difficult decisions - and I am making mistakes - and I'm so, so sorry".