Ed Sheeran says people hated ‘Game Of Thrones’ cameo because he was “omnipresent” at the time

Ed Sheeran has discussed his cameo in Game Of Thrones, explaining that the backlash to his appearance came from him being “omnipresent” at the time.

The ‘Shape Of You’ singer appeared in the first episode of season seven in 2017, playing part of a group of soldiers. He sang during his brief appearance, but despite a fairly inconsequential role, the cameo drew criticism from fans who felt he didn’t fit in the George R.R. Martin adaptation. Appearing on Benny Blanco’s Friends Keep Secrets podcast on Wednesday (March 11), Sheeran looked back on the period.

“I feel like I definitely ruffled some feathers being on Game of Thrones,” he revealed. “What I said is, ‘People love that show. If anyone gets asked to be in that show, it’s an instant yes. I said yes. I enjoyed doing it.”

He received criticism from fans of the show for appearing, and looking back believes it was due to his success at that moment. “I think at the time I was very omnipresent and just everywhere. So, I think it was quite jarring,” he said, before saying that these incidents “happen quite a lot in my career. I just get shit on for things.”

Ed Sheeran was one of several musicians who appeared on the show in cameos. Coldplay drummer Will Champion appeared as a performer during the infamous Red Wedding episode, while Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody made a cameo during season three. Sigur Rós covered The National’s ‘The Rains Of Castamere’, during season four episode The Lion And The Rose, while members of Bastille appeared as undead walkers in the season seven finale.

Recently, it was announced that a Game Of Thrones film spin-off is in the works, set before the events of the original series. It is being developed by Beau Willimon, the writer and showrunner of House Of Cards.