Ed Sheeran has reacted to being mocked in the new trailer for Ali G: Who Iz I?

The new comedy, which arrives in cinemas on October 23, comes 24 years after the character’s first big screen appearance in 2002’s Ali G: In Da House. The movie marks Sacha Baron Cohen’s directorial debut, and the first trailer was released recently featuring a joke at Sheeran’s expense.

The clip opens with a narration from Cohen as Ali G, saying: “I’z been gone for 20 years, chillin’, and in that time the world went to crap. There was COVID, wars, and Ed Sheeran.” The trailer then shows a clip of the ‘Shape Of You’ singer on the red carpet. You can watch the trailer in full below.

View this post on Instagram

Far from being offended, Sheeran seemed delighted by the shout out, commenting on Instagram: “Tell 10-year-old me that Ali G would put him in his movie. Restecpa.” The final word is a reference to In Da House, where the character misspells the word “respect”.

First appearing during a segment on The 11 O’Clock Show in the late ‘90s, Ali G was a pastiche of appropriated street culture, with the character interviewing public figures unaware that Cohen was playing a character. He became a great success, appearing in Madonna’s video for 2000 single ‘Music’, as well as making several spin-off series. In Da House was promoted with a single, ‘Me Julie’, which Cohen performed in character alongside Shaggy.

Cohen would follow up that success with films such as Borat and Bruno before moving into dramatic acting in dramas such as The Trial Of The Chicago Seven. He also recently appeared in Marvel series Ironheart.

Ali G: Who Iz I was filmed entirely in secret, with Cohen turning up in character at this year’s Wimbledon tennis championships ahead of the film’s official announcement.

The post Ed Sheeran reacts to being mocked in new Ali G movie trailer appeared first on NME.