Ed Sheeran has defended his decision not to turn his concerts into a political forum, while acknowledging Macklemore’s right to speak out on issues he believes in.

“Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” Sheeran said.

“However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.

“I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change. There are different approaches to being an advocate for change.”

Sheeran also said Macklemore, like all of his support acts, had been free to choose his own setlist.

However, the statement appears to have drawn further criticism from some artists involved in his shows.

Lukas Graham responded on Instagram, saying: “We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.”

Macklemore also said he understood the difficult position Sheeran had been placed in but criticised the singer for not taking a public stance.

“Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed,” he wrote.

He added that although he completed only two shows on the tour, if his comments succeeded in “turning the conversation back to Palestine”, then it had been “the most successful tour I’ve ever been on”.

Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants have been sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted in a major drugs case.

According to state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram, the defendants were members of a criminal gang accused of importing raw materials used to manufacture drugs for sale.

The group was also accused of possessing illegal firearms and ammunition.

Khalifa, 39, is best known for presenting Mission Impossible, a television programme focused on crime-related issues. She has denied the charges.

Nine other defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while seven were acquitted.

Khalifa’s lawyer said she would appeal the death sentence.

The verdict was initially announced last month but could not be formally confirmed until the court received a religious opinion from Egypt’s Grand Mufti, a legal requirement in cases involving the death penalty.

During the trial, prosecutors said authorities had seized more than 750kg (1,653lb) of narcotics, along with imported materials allegedly intended for drug production.

Twenty witnesses provided statements to prosecutors, while electronic evidence including conversations and video footage was also presented to the court, Al-Ahram reported.

According to state-run newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm, Khalifa was questioned by a judge about her alleged involvement during a court hearing last September.

She reportedly said she had never seen drugs before being photographed with them inside the offices of Egypt’s anti-narcotics authority.

Khalifa has maintained her innocence throughout the case.

English actor Tim Curry, best known for his iconic portrayal of Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died aged 80.

Curry first played the flamboyant character on stage before reprising the role in the 1975 film adaptation. The movie went on to become a cult classic and cemented Curry’s place in popular culture.

He later became known to a new generation of audiences for playing the terrifying clown Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

Curry’s other notable film roles included Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, as well as appearances in Annie, The Hunt for Red October, Home Alone 2 and Scary Movie 2.

He also enjoyed a successful theatre career and was nominated for three Tony Awards for his work on Broadway.

Born in Warrington, England, in 1946, Curry began his professional acting career after university when he joined the original London production of the groundbreaking rock musical Hair in 1968.

Five years later, fellow Hair cast member Richard O’Brien invited Curry to audition for a new musical he was writing.

Curry won the role of Dr Frank-N-Furter, the flamboyant and eccentric scientist at the centre of The Rocky Horror Show.

He first performed the character in 1973 at the upstairs theatre of London’s Royal Court, where his distinctive performance helped establish the role that would define much of his career.

His portrayal combined theatricality, humour and irreverence, making Frank-N-Furter one of cinema’s most memorable characters.

Curry went on to build a diverse career across film, television and theatre, becoming known for his ability to move effortlessly between comedy, horror, drama and musical performance.

His death marks the passing of an actor whose most famous performances remained enduring fixtures of popular culture for generations.