More about: Ed Sheeran

That Ed Sheeran guest appearance on Game Of Thrones is forcing people to take sides much like the Karstarks elected to side with the Boltons against the Starks. And now the show’s director, Jeremy Podeswa, has leapt to the singer’s defence following the ‘Galway Girl’ star’s role as a singing Lannister soldier in the opening episode of season seven of the hit fantasy show.

As reported by Gigwise, the guest slot caused fans to take up arms against the star. Well, take to Twitter but hey, y’know…

"I think Ed did a lovely job -- he's a lovely actor and a lovely person," Podeswa told Newsweek.

"He was appropriate for the part because he needed to sing. If people didn't know who Ed was, they wouldn't have thought about it twice. The hoo-ha seems to be from things that are outside of the world of the show. In the world of the show he did a lovely job, and he looks like he belongs in that world," he continued.

To his mind, critics of Sheeran’s appearance are applying their own prejudices to his role.

"I was quite surprised about the reaction actually because I know he's very well known and a successful singer but you're in the bubble of the show - the cast are well known too, everybody is really well known... none of them can walk down the street without being followed. You don't think about that very much in this context."

As far as the director is concerned, Sheeran is very nice chap.

"He comes with no entourage. There's nothing connected with him that's in the least bit self-aware or self-conscious," he said. "The only thing I don't feel great about is that Ed is such a lovely guy and really genuine and down to earth. He came into this with only lovely intentions to come and do a good job and sing well. So I think that's the only drag."

More about: Ed Sheeran