Rod Stewart has laid into Ed Sheeran in a recent interview with the Times, labelling him “old ginger b*llocks” and saying that he doesn’t know any of his songs.

The British rock/pop legend was asked which present-day artists he thought would stand the test of time years from now, and responded: “You mean like Maggie May? Songs that will be played in 50 years? I like whats-his-name. Oh f***ing great, Rod. Well done. He’s British, really talented and his songs will be around.”

When asked if he was thinking of Ed Sheeran, Stewart replied: “No, not Ed, I don’t know any of his songs, old ginger b*llocks! Jesus.”

Not a fan, then. Turns out Rod Stewart was thinking of George Ezra, who he said “writes tremendous songs” and would “be around for quite a while.” Still, is he serious when he says that he doesn’t know any Ed Sheeran songs? Even the most hardcore Ed Sheeran hater will have heard ‘Shape of You’ or ‘Thinking Out Loud’ – it’s literally impossible to have gone through life without having heard those tunes at least a dozen times. That’s how so many people decided they can’t stand Ed Sheeran in the first place!

The 79-year-old rounded things off with some classic ‘back in my day’ chat: “We were brave in those days to go into the music business,’ he said of his own decades-long career. ‘We didn’t know where it would take us but record companies were different. They would give you a try. Also, the people I came up with – the Stones, Elton – we all came into it because we loved the music. Money and fame didn’t factor – it was a burning ambition to sing.”

“That may have changed. Now it’s more, ‘Ooh, let’s have a go at music. I don’t even have to play well. Maybe I’ll get rich.’ Fame comes before everything. All kids want is fame.”

Well I don’t know if it’s fair to lump Ed Sheeran into that category, given he was busking and couch-surfing long before he made it as a famous musician. Then again, maybe that was all part of some PR hype train? Either way it’s got to sting for Ed to hear a legend like Rod Stewart sh1t on his career like this. I’m sure the many, many millions he’s made will make up for it though.

For the strip club bouncer caught on camera breaking an Ed Sheeran fan’s jaw, click HERE.