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Ed Sheeran

Game of Thrones director Jeremy Podeswa has defended Ed Sheeran's controversial cameo.

The British singer made a guest appearance as a minstrel in a scene with fan favourite Arya Stark, played by Maisie Williams, in the first episode of the seventh season of HBO's fantasy drama.

Fans shared mixed views on Sheeran's performance on social media after the show aired in the U.S. on Sunday night, but Podeswa has now spoken out in support of the music star.

"He was appropriate for the part because he needed to sing," he told Newsweek. "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."

Negative comments posted online over Sheeran's performance may have caused the 26-year-old to briefly deactivate his Twitter account on Monday. But Podeswa, who has directed six episodes of the programme, including the upcoming season seven finale, argues that the Shape of You hitmaker needn't have worried about any backlash.

"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," he said.

Sheeran has yet to comment on his Game of Thrones moment.