Kneecap reignites feud with Sharon Osbourne over Tommy Robinson rally support
Irish rap group Kneecap has reignited its public feud with television personality Sharon Osbourne following her endorsement of a far-right rally organized by activist Tommy Robinson. The controversy erupted after Osbourne signaled her support for the "Unite the Kingdom" rally scheduled for next month in the United Kingdom.
Osbourne's endorsement and Kneecap's response
On Friday, the former X Factor judge commented on Instagram with the phrase "See you at the march," directly referencing Robinson's upcoming event. Kneecap, known for incorporating political activism into their music, swiftly responded by reposting an opinion piece from the Metro newspaper. The article's headline stated: "Sharon Osbourne attending a Tommy Robinson march proves Kneecap were right about her."
The group accompanied the repost with a caption on X, writing: "F*** @MrsSOsbourne [Sharon Osbourne]." This exchange marks the latest chapter in an ongoing conflict between the band and Osbourne, which has now escalated with significant repercussions.
Charity severs ties with Osbourne
Osbourne's endorsement of Robinson has led youth homelessness charity Centrepoint to drop her from any future collaborations. The charity had recently worked with Osbourne on a fundraising campaign, but a spokesperson confirmed they have "no plans" to work with her again.
The statement from Centrepoint read: "Political activity like this runs counter to our values and our long history of supporting young people regardless of their background, religion or ethnicity." This decision underscores the broader impact of Osbourne's actions beyond her personal disputes.
Background of the feud
The initial public spat between Kneecap and Osbourne originated after the group's politically charged performance at Coachella in 2025. During their set, Kneecap projected messages such as "F*** Israel, free Palestine" on screens and accused Israel of committing "genocide" in the Middle East. The band, known for hits like "C.E.A.R.T.A" and "Get Your Brits Out," frequently leads "Free Palestine" chants during their performances.
Osbourne, a vocal supporter of Israel, responded at the time by calling for Kneecap's U.S. work visas to be revoked and criticizing festival organizer GoldenVoice for booking them. She wrote on X: "Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements. Their actions included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band openly support terrorist organisations."
A spokesperson for Kneecap countered: "Statements aren't aggressive, murdering 20,000 children is though. Or executing 15 medics and burying them and their ambulances." This exchange set the stage for the current reignition of hostilities.
Details of the rally and Kneecap's profile
The "Unite the Kingdom" rally, organized by Tommy Robinson, is set to take place in London on May 16. The previous protest in September attracted over 110,000 attendees and sparked a counter-demonstration titled "March Against Fascism," which drew more than 5,000 supporters according to BBC reports.
Kneecap consists of members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, whose real names are Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh, respectively. Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, the group has garnered acclaim, winning several independent film awards and a BAFTA in 2024 for their comedy film Kneecap, which depicts their rise to fame.
The Independent has reached out to Sharon Osbourne for comment on the latest developments, but no response has been received at this time. As tensions continue to simmer, this feud highlights the intersection of entertainment, politics, and social activism in contemporary culture.
