Ed Sheeran filmed using homophobic slurs in 'freestyle' rap battle against artist Devlin

A VIDEO of Ed Sheeran using homophobic slurs has surfaced online.

The clip features Sheeran in a “freestyle battle” with fellow artist Devlin in which they trade insults in off-the-cuff rap verses.

But the 23-year-old, who has millions of young fans around the world, repeatedly uses the word “gay” in negative terms.

Last night the video was taken down by Sheeran’s record label.

The five minute clip comes despite the singer hitting out at anti-gay protesters in the past.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

The singer slammed the Westboro Baptist Church after they picketed his gig in Kansas City in 2013.

Members of the church, known for their homophobic views, protested at the Midland arena.

Sheeran tweeted : “To the people picketing outside the arena. Keep your homophobic views to
yourself, it’s 2013.”

The video was filmed outside a gig by Example and is thought to date back to the end of 2011.

Sheeran, whose album X sold more than a million copies, raps: “I go on the bus and I sleep for a day, then I come back and they’re like, Ed, you look like this gay.”

Sheeran was unavailable for comment but a source close to the singer said: “Ed was sending up rappers who make homophobic remarks. He is not homophobic.”

But lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity Stonewall slammed the singer.

A spokesman said: “Homophobic language is a real issue in Britain and is endemic in our schools.”

Try our quick showbiz quiz below:

Question -1 of 5 Score -0 of 0 Which award is the musician who pelted Simon Cowell with eggs two years ago up for? Thanks for taking part in this quiz You scored Replay quiz

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCrnZOkv6V6wqhlrqNfmru1sdGtmKKmnZq7tXvCnqOemqKewbp7xJ1krKCVmr%2BiuoyfoKWllZl6tr%2FIp55moJ%2BivLG0zpugnGVlaoNzhJJq