Game of Thrones fans are raging about Ed Sheeran’s cameo in the season 7 premiere

Game of Thrones fans knew that Ed Sheeran would make a cameo in season seven, but they had no idea they would be seeing him so soon, or in such a meaty role. The singer popped up in the season premiere in the most unsubtle of ways, leading fans to take to social media to air their grievances.

*Spoilers for the season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones to follow*

In the scene, Maisie Williams’s Arya Stark stumbled across the singer in the forest, where he was playing tunes and eating squirrels with some pals. There were a number of close-ups, and he even delivered some rather innocuous lines.

It was all a bit much for some.

First thing Monday morning and Brian from accounts starts telling you about Ed Sheeran being in Game Of Thrones. #GOTS7 pic.twitter.com/vFQDdMLv03

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 17, 2017

Arya: "That's a pretty song."
Ed Sheeran: "It's a new one… off my brand new album, 'Divide,' in stores now!!!!"#GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/nsAumXug7K

— Zach Goins (@zach_goins) July 17, 2017

Game of Thrones season 8: James Corden does Wagonpool Karaoke with The Hound

— Christopher Hooton (@ChristophHooton) July 17, 2017

game of thrones: we're a prestige show pls take us seriously
game of thrones: here's arya eating a squirrel next to ed sheeran

— tori (2017) (@grinchhands) July 17, 2017

Ed?! What the hell you doing there mate? #gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/5Y6CndBKDd

— Shakaila Elise (@ShakailaFB) July 17, 2017

Ed Sheeran is on Game of Thrones rn😂😂😂 what is life #gameofthones

— Matt Pesicka (@mattp9991) July 17, 2017

get ed sheeren out of here good god #gameofthrones

— MLK (@mckennypowers) July 17, 2017

Top Three Characters I've wanted to see murdered on Game of Thrones
3. Joffrey
2. Ramsey
1. Ed Sheeran

— Ol' QWERTY Bastard (@TheDiLLon1) July 17, 2017

In less aggravating news, the song that Sheeran sings, titled Hands of Gold, appeared in the original books, albeit in quite a different manner. It was sung by a bard named Symon Silver Tongue in an effort to blackmail Tyrion Lannister, as the words concern the character’s secret lover, Shae.

The cameo is the most significant musical appearance in the GoT, but not the first. Coldplay’s Will Champion featured at season three’s Red Wedding and indie group Of Monsters and Men popped up as travelling musicians in Braavos, but none of them had speaking roles. The writers must have really admired Sheeran’s acting chops.

UK fans can watch the Glastonbury headliner in tonight’s replay of the episode on Sky Atlantic. 

Game of Thrones season 7 is on at 9pm on Monday 17th July on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV