Ed Sheeran Slams ‘Divisive and Damaging’ Reports That He Attended J.K. Rowling’s New Year’s Eve Party

Ed Sheeran is calling out false reports connecting him to J.K. Rowling.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the “Shivers” singer posted on his Instagram Stories, slamming an article from The Sun that falsely claimed that Sheeran, 33, attended a New Year’s Eve party at the author’s home in Scotland.

Sheeran posted a screenshot of an X post from India Willoughby for an article from September 2024 titled “How Ed Sheeran brought joy to wounded [Israel Defence Force] soldiers – opinion.” She added above the article’s headline: “Ed Sheeran reportedly went to JK Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party, too,” which The Sun reported.

The musician posted a note denying the reports and asking all to research before sharing information online. “Respectfully, India Willoughby, and any other journalist who has reported both these stories, neither are true,” he began. “I spent new year with my family and friends.”

“The story about wounded soldiers at my show, was a charity that sourced tickets to my show in Cyprus last year, which was a large scale public concert,” he continued of the September show part of his + – = ÷ x world tour.

“This sort of reporting is [divisive] and damaging, please research before you post things,” Sheeran concluded.

Willoughby, the broadcaster that Sheeran name-checked in his Instagram Stories, responded on X, claiming that she previously asked Sheeran about his attendance. “Hi @edsheeran – this is great to hear 👍. I used the word ‘reportedly’ about JK Rowling’s NYE party, because it was widely reported by UK and international media at the time.”

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“I also reached out directly to you in the first wk of Jan via Twitter to ask if the story was correct – but no reply. Delighted to hear you didn’t go! ✌️❤️🏳️‍⚧️,” Willoughby added.

She also posted “from the source” that “Ed Sheeran DID NOT attend JK Rowling’s New Year’s Eve party” and tagged him.

The Sun article in question reported that Sheeran had attended a party on New Year’s Eve hosted by the Harry Potter author, who has been publicly criticized for making anti-trans comments.

Any mention of Sheeran at the party has been since removed from The Sun article.