Ed Sheeran Featured on ‘SNL UK’ With ‘Chicken Shop Date’ Host Amelia Dimoldenberg

Saturday Night Live UK targeted Ed Sheeran again amid ongoing controversy regarding his Loop Tour.

During her opening monologue on the Sept. 26 episode of the British spinoff, Chicken Shop Date host Amelia Dimoldenberg discussed the end of her YouTube interview series, which she recently announced would conclude after more than 12 years.

On Chicken Shop Date, the English comedian hosts awkward, deadpan interviews with celebrities in chicken shops. The program has featured major music stars such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar, and Charli XCX.

“I’m incredibly privileged to have done so many interviews with people like Idris Elba, Cher, and even a world-famous red-headed puppet with a hand up his ass telling him what to say,” Dimoldenberg told the audience while a photo of her and Sesame Street character Elmo appeared on screen.

She then motioned for a different picture and said, “No, the other one,” as an image of her with Sheeran appeared.

The joke references Sheeran’s appearance on Chicken Shop Date in November 2021, when Dimoldenberg met the singer at Sam’s Chicken in London.

The SNL UK reference coincides with criticism surrounding Sheeran’s Loop Tour following the removal of Macklemore from the U.S. leg. Macklemore was cut after making “Free Palestine” remarks during his opening set in early September.

Macklemore originally served as an opener for Sheeran’s U.S. concerts but was dropped after performing at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5, where he chanted “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”

SNL UK also poked fun at Sheeran the previous week. During the Sept. 19 episode, cast member Annabel Marlow portrayed him as a fence-sitter positioned between humans and artificial intelligence in a sketch featuring King Charles and an AI assistant modeled on Princess Diana.

Following the tour lineup change, Sheeran performed two concerts in Philadelphia without any opening acts. He told the audience that he wanted his shows to center on unity and humanity rather than politics.

Macklemore subsequently announced a Free Palestine Tour with dates set for Dublin on Oct. 26, Paris on Oct. 29, and London on Oct. 30. Ticket proceeds will support organizations providing humanitarian aid and other assistance to Palestinians.

Watch Dimoldenberg’s SNL UK monologue below.