Ed Sheeran has sparked a heated backlash after saying that drinking every day in England is not necessarily 'alcoholism'. The singer's resurfaced remarks about British drinking culture have divided fans, with some accusing him of downplaying the risks linked to regular alcohol use.
The 35-year-old singer made the comments during an older podcast chat with comedian Theo Von, where he compared drinking habits in Britain and the US. Sheeran described having a pint with friends after work as a normal part of life, while also discussing heavier drinking on weekends.
The clip has now resurfaced online and quickly drawn fresh criticism, putting Sheeran's own past relationship with alcohol back in the spotlight. The singer has previously spoken openly about cutting back after years of heavy drinking, especially after becoming a father.
Ed Sheeran's Drinking Comments Go Viral
Sheeran spoke about how alcohol can be part of everyday social life in Britain. He said people in his friendship group might have one or two pints after work simply to catch up with a friend.
Ed Sheeran says Americans call something "alcoholism" that Brits simply call "culture."
— spoiler (@spoilerbull) July 26, 2026
"Maybe one or two pints at the end of a workday."
"On a Friday you'll have six pints and a bottle of wine."
"It's not alcoholism to drink every day here."
"It's not like I wake up every… pic.twitter.com/XvSPeZcoDh
He also described Friday nights as a time when people may drink more, mentioning several pints, a bottle of wine and shots. Sheeran said this kind of drinking can be seen as part of the culture rather than an attempt to get very drunk.
The singer then made the comment that caused the biggest reaction. He said it was 'not alcoholism to drink every day here', referring to England, while suggesting daily drinking would be viewed very differently in the US.
Sheeran Says Drinking Can Be Part of British Culture
Sheeran was careful to say he was speaking generally and that not everyone in Britain enjoys drinking. He explained that, in his view, going for a beer can be a way for friends to spend time together at the end of a working day.
He also defended the drinking culture of Ireland, saying he disliked the idea that the country should be described as an 'alcoholic country'. For Sheeran, the main difference was how alcohol fits into social life rather than whether people drink.
He later repeated that his point was about culture. He said people may have a beer at both happy and sad events, including weddings and funerals, without always drinking because they feel they need alcohol.
Critics Question His View on Alcoholism
The comments quickly drew criticism from people who felt that culture should not be used to explain away regular drinking. Some argued that alcohol can affect the body in the same way regardless of where a person lives.
there is a biological reason for this beyond just culture.
— Dalton (Analyze & Optimize) (@Outdoctrination) July 27, 2026
it's the same reason Asians don't tolerate alcohol well at all and get the "glow"
it comes down to your individual metabolism of alcohol.
Brits and Irish have efficient genetics for the enzymes ADH and ALDH which… https://t.co/4fmEeT4F9b
Others pointed out that drinking every day is not the only way someone can have an alcohol problem. They said the more important questions can include how much a person drinks, whether they can stop and whether alcohol is causing problems in their daily life.
Some critics also described Sheeran's comments as 'ignorant' and accused him of making heavy drinking sound normal. Others defended him, saying his comments were clearly about social habits and were not meant to suggest that alcohol addiction does not exist in Britain.
Jamal Edwards Also Changed His View of Drugs
Sheeran has also spoken about his drug use after the death of his close friend Jamal Edwards in 2022. Edwards, who helped Sheeran early in his career, died at the age of 31 after a cardiac arrest linked to cocaine and alcohol use.
Sheeran previously said he first tried drugs in his twenties and later began using them more regularly. Edwards' death made him rethink that part of his life.
The singer has since said he would not want to take drugs again because he feels it would be disrespectful to his late friend. His past comments show that his views on drinking and drugs have changed as he has grown older.
British Drinking Culture Faces Fresh Debate
Sheeran's comments have placed a familiar part of British life under a new spotlight. Pubs, pints and social drinking are often linked with friendship and celebrations, but that does not mean every drinking habit is safe.
The singer did not say that alcohol problems do not exist in Britain. In fact, he admitted that some people take drinking too far and made clear that he was talking about the way alcohol can be treated as part of everyday social life.
For now, Sheeran's resurfaced remarks have started a wider conversation about where social drinking ends and harmful drinking begins. His own experience also shows that a habit can look normal at first while still being something worth taking a closer look at.
