How Ed Sheeran Will Aid Lionel Richie's Performance At King Charles' Coronation

English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran may not be appearing at the upcoming coronation of King Charles III. Still, he will be giving a helping hand to one of the event's significant features.

Fans will recall that after Sheeran turned down the invitation to perform at the Coronation concert, it was revealed that Lionel Richie, an "American Idol" judge, would headline the event alongside several brilliant musicians.

In preparation for Richie's departure overseas, Sheeran is showing support by stepping in as a guest judge on the talent show, replacing the legend for the time being and marking his first appearance on the program.

The "I Don't Care" vocalist will take over "American Idol" alongside Alanis Morissette, who will replace Katy Perry, another entertainer set to perform at the British Coronation. 

The substitute duo will join Luke Bryan as guest judges on May 7 after being selected ahead of Richie and Perry's travel for their upcoming gig in the UK.

Per Variety, the update went live on Monday, May 1, with ABC reporting that the "Easy" star and the "Fireworks" songstress will still be checking into the show with live updates from all the merriment at Windsor Castle. Morissette and Sheeran are scheduled to substitute on the program's "616" episode, where America will cast their votes for the remaining top 5 contestants. 

The new gig will be both singers' first appearance on the "American Idol," They will each perform, with Morissette singing one of her many successful songs and Sheeran performing his latest single, "Boat."

Additionally, Morissette will mentor the remaining contestants, who will perform her songs live, while the finalists will partner with each other on duets of Sheeran's significant hits.

It is essential to know that only eight finalists are left in the competition show, including Colin Stough, Haven Madison, Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, Oliver Steele, Warren Peay, Wé Ani, and Zachariah Smith.

Moreover, the "Shape of You" singer's subbing position comes amid a copyright infringement trial for his song "Thinking Out Loud," accused of copying Marvin Gaye's single "Let's Get It On." 

He is being sued alongside Warner Music Group and Sony Music Publishing by three heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend, the credited co-writer with Gaye on the 1973 tune.

Before settling on Richie and Perry as the acts of the coronation, King Charles suggested a few big names in the music industry that he would like to perform at his Coronation concert set to hold on May 7.

Among those listed were Sheeran and Adele, who unfortunately declined the invitation, with the "Perfect" vocalist giving a valid reason while the "Hello" songstress had no explanation.

It was reported that Sheeran would be performing in Texas the day before the Coronation concert, making it challenging to balance his schedule, unlike Adele, who appeared to have no shows scheduled for May 7.

A source close to the Royal family expressed how disappointing the news was to the King especially given that the pair were UK natives. In their words: 

"There is a team set up to get the talent signed up, so they approached the two of them but got replies saying they were unavailable. They are titans of the showbiz industry. And are quintessentially British but also known across the globe. It's such a shame." 

Although Sheeran and Adele's pass on the imminent Coronation concert may have been a downer for fans, they were undoubtedly overjoyed to hear of Richie's eventual feature.

As The Blast reported, the iconic vocalist was honored about the inclusion and took no time in voicing how important the gig meant to him. After being named alongside Perry as a performer, Richie shared he was surprised, admitting that of all the names the King could have picked, he chose him.

The old timer, who has known the monarch "for a long time," further declared that he celebrated the monarch's "now stepping into the king role" after being a prince for too long.

When asked what he looked forward to the most at the coronation, Richie proclaimed his willingness to "see all the lights" while promising to give nothing but the best, irrespective of what people thought about fellow legends' past performances.