All four supporting acts for upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop tour have withdrawn in solidarity with fellow opening act Macklemore.
The rapper was removed from the US tour for making pro-Palestinian comments while performing earlier this month at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Sheeran says dropping Macklemore was not his decision but that of the tour's promoter.
Four supporting acts on Ed Sheeran's US tour have abruptly quit in solidarity with rapper Macklemore, who has been dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.
Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and US artist Finneas posted on Instagram that they were pulling out.
Rowe and Lukas Graham would have been replacements for Macklemore on Sheeran's remaining US dates, while Sheeran's touring band, Beoga, had been performing several songs with Sheeran around the middle of each set.
Finneas was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.
Meanwhile, Lukas Graham, the band that had hits with Mama Said and 7 Years, expressed gratitude to Sheeran and called it "a difficult decision".
Emails seeking comment were sent to Sheeran and the tour's promoter, the Messina Touring Group.
Sheeran's statement came a day after Macklemore said he was kicked off the Loop Tour after saying "Free Palestine" while introducing his protest song Hind's Hall at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium earlier this month.
Macklemore said on Instagram on Monday that New England Patriots owner and billionaire Mr Kraft had rallied support among some stadium owners and told Sheeran they would not allow him to perform at their venues if Macklemore stayed on the tour.