Ed Sheeran apparently took part in a rap battle in 2011, in which he used derogatory terms while battling with rapper Devlin.

Since the discovery of the video from 2011, it has been pulled from Youtube, saying “no longer available due to a copyright claim by WMG”. Warner Music Group is Ed Sheeran’s record label.

The five-minute clip reportedly featured Sheeran and Devlin in a freestyling battle, trading off-the-cuff insults, featuring apparent homophobic language.

The Mirror contacted WMG for comment, and the video was allegedly taken down soon thereafter.

In response, Ed’s spokesman told The Mirror newspaper: “Ed was sending up rappers who make homophobic remarks. He is clearly not ­homophobic.”

In the video, Ed apparently claims to be drunk and goes on to make crude comments about oral sex.

He directs homophobic slurs at Devlin, saying, “Yo, I freestyle to the faggoty man,” continuing, “I go on the bus and I sleep for a day, then I come back and they’re like, Ed, you look like this gay.”

The X singer adds, “These guys are safe they’re not gay mans.”

Sheeran then continues, “I eat ham but I’m not a Muslim, but I ­freestyle because I’m not a Christian either.”

This reportedly occurred before he embraced Twitter to show his pro-gay views.

@MikillPane take that homophobic talk the fuck back to where it came from, you metrosexual darling

— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) June 7, 2010

To the people picketing outside the arena. Keep your homophobic views to yourself, it’s 2013.

— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) August 3, 2013

A spokesperson for Stonewall said, “It’s important to think about the words you choose to use, as what some people see as ‘banter’ can have a ­negative and lasting effect.”