Ed Sheeran performs on stage during the second day of Latitude Festival 2011 at Henham Park Estate on July 16, 2011, in Southwold, United Kingdom.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2011
The Roundhouse, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran performs on stage during the iTunes Festival at The Roundhouse on July 8, 2011, in London, United Kingdom.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
Ed Sheeran, photographed during a portrait shoot for Total Guitar Magazine, May 22, 2012.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran is photographed for Sounds magazine on October 15, 2012, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, United States
Taylor Swift (R) and Ed Sheeran attend Z100's Jingle Ball 2012, presented by Aeropostale, at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2012, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran is seen on August 21, 2012, in London, United Kingdom.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
Lowlands Festival, Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
Ed Sheeran performs live at Lowlands Festival on August 17, 2012, in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
La Cigale, Paris, France
Ed Sheeran performs at La Cigale on July 2, 2012, in Paris, France.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
Hackney Marshes, Hackney, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran performs on stage during BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend at Hackney Marshes on June 23, 2012, in Hackney, United Kingdom.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
The Hilton Creekside, Austin, United States
Ed Sheeran posed with Tony Moore backstage at The Bedford Showcase in The Hilton Creekside during SXSW 2012 Music Festival on March 15, 2012, in Austin, United States.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2012
Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II is introduced to Ed Sheeran (L) by Kylie Minogue backstage after the Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace Concert on June 04, 2012, in London, England. For only the second time in its history the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have flocked to London to witness the spectacle of the weekend's celebrations.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2013
Madison Square Garden Arena, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran poses with Taylor Swift backstage before his sold-out show at Madison Square Garden Arena on November 1, 2013, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2013
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Ed Sheeran poses at the Wonderwall portrait studio during the 2013 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 5, 2013, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2013
Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City, California, United States
Ed Sheeran (L) and Harry Styles of One Direction attend the 2013 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 11, 2013, in Universal City, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2013
New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran is photographed for People Magazine on October 30, 2013, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2013
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Elton John and Ed Sheeran attend the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2013, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2013
TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, California, United States
Singer Ed Sheeran attends the premiere of 'The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug' at TCL Chinese Theatre on December 2, 2013, in Hollywood, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Recording artist Ed Sheeran performs onstage during KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014 powered by LINE at Staples Center on December 5, 2014, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
Wembley Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran poses before announcing his huge headlining show for Friday 10 July 2015 as part of his 'X' world tour at Wembley Stadium, on November 10, 2014, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
Megaland, Landgraaf, Netherlands
Sheeran performs at Day 2 of Pinkpop at Megaland on June 8, 2014, in Landgraaf, Netherlands.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
O2 Arena, London, England, United Kingdom
Taylor Swift was joined on stage by Ed Sheeran as she kicked off the European leg of her blockbuster The RED Tour with the first of five sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena, playing to a capacity crowd of more than 15500 fans, on February 1, 2014 in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, London, England, United Kingdom
Hozier, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande with Victoria's Secret models on the runway during the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre on December 2, 2014, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
Earls Court, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran walks the runway at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show at Earls Court on December 2, 2014, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2014
Kiss FM's Studio, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran poses with KISS Breakfast presenters Charlie Hedges, Rickie Haywood Williams and Melvin O'Doom as he visits Kiss FM Breakfast at Kiss FM's Studio on June 5, 2014, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
Ed Sheeran presents on stage during the MTV EMA's 2015 at the Mediolanum Forum on October 25, 2015, in Milan, Italy.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
GM Resorts Festival Grounds, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Ed Sheeran performs onstage during Rock in Rio USA at the MGM Resorts Festival Grounds on May 15, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Chelsea Piers, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran attends the 9th Annual American Institute For Stuttering Benefit Gala at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on June 8, 2015, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Taylor Swift (L) and Ed Sheeran attend the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran performs onstage at A+E Networks 'Shining A Light' concert at The Shrine Auditorium on November 18, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran and Beyonce perform onstage during Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life - An All-Star GRAMMY Salute at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on February 10, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Odeon Leicester Square, London, England, United Kingdom
Justin Bieber (L) and Ed Sheeran attend the World Premiere of 'Ed Sheeran: Jumpers For Goalposts' at Odeon Leicester Square on October 22, 2015, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
Co-host musician Ed Sheeran kneels to his co-host actress Ruby Rose appear on stage during the MTV EMA's 2015 at the Mediolanum Forum on October 25, 2015, in Milan, Italy.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Chelsea Piers, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran attends 9th Annual American Institute For Stuttering Benefit Gala at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on June 8, 2015, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Odeon Leicester Square, London, England, United Kingdom
Maisie Williams (L) and Ed Sheeran attend the World Premiere of 'Ed Sheeran: Jumpers For Goalposts' at Odeon Leicester Square on October 22, 2015 in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Nokia Theatre L.A., Los Angeles, California, United States
Recording artist Ed Sheeran (L) and actor Jamie Foxx attend Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life - An All-Star GRAMMY Salute at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on February 10, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
Louane and Ed Sheeran attend the 17th NRJ Music Awards at Palais des Festivals on November 7, 2015, in Cannes, France.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Ed Sheeran (plaid shirt) joins The Rolling Stones during The Rolling Stones North American 'ZIP CODE' Tour at Arrowhead Stadium on June 27, 2015, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Ed Sheeran (L) and Rita Ora pose backstage at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2015
Madame Tussauds New York, New York City, New York, United States
Singer Ed Sheeran unveils his never-before-seen Madame Tussauds wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York on May 28, 2015 in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2016
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift attend The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2016
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and Musician Dave Grohl attend The 58th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran headlines on the Pyramid Stage during day 4 of the Glastonbury Festival 2017 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 25, 2017, in Glastonbury, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
SiriusXM Studios, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran visits SiriusXM Studios on January 13, 2017, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
The Forum, Inglewood, California, United States
Ed Sheeran performs onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcast live on Turner's TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran performs on NBC's 'Today' at Rockefeller Plaza on March 8, 2017, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
New York City, New York, United States
Chef Dominique Ansel (L) and Ed Sheeran bake gingerED cookies with Ed Sheeran's biggest Spotify fans on December 8, 2017, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran and singer Rihanna during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
London, England, United States
Ed Sheeran seen attending Jonathan Ross - Halloween party on October 31, 2017, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Bauer Radio, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran during his visit to Absolute Radio at Bauer Radio on January 6, 2017, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
The O2 Arena, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran attends the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball with Coca-Cola at The O2 Arena on December 10, 2017, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
The Forum, Inglewood, California, United States
Singer Ed Sheeran arrives at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards at The Forum on March 5, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Ed Sheeran performs a Carpool Karaoke with James Corden during 'The Late Late Show with James Corden,' Tuesday, June 6, 2017.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Ed Sheeran on Friday, December 8, 2017.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
The Forum, Inglewood, California, United States
Ed Sheeran performs onstage during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Singer Ed Sheeran, singer/actor Nick Jonas and Grammy Awards host James Corden attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran performs onstage at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 48th Annual Induction and Awards at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 15, 2017, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Ed Sheeran is a guest on 'Good Morning America,' Monday, September 25, 2017, airing on the ABC Television Network.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2017
Z100 Studio, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran visits 'The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show' at Z100 Studio on January 12, 2017, in New York City.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
The O2 Arena, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran with the Global Success award at the BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
The London Irish Centre, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran attends 'An Evening With Dermot O'Leary Presents...Ed Sheeran At The London Irish Centre on June 19, 2018, in London, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran performs during day 1 of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend 2018 held at Singleton Park on May 26, 2018, in Swansea, Wales.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
Portman Road, Ipswich, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran and fiance Cherry Seaborn look on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018, in Ipswich, England.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
Grand Hyatt Hotel, Berlin, Germany
Ed Sheeran attends the 'Songwriter' press conference during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 23, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
Friedrichstadtpalast, Berlin, Germany
Ed Sheeran attends the 'Songwriter' premiere during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Friedrichstadtpalast on February 23, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.
Gallery of Ed Sheeran
2018
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Ed Sheeran performs on stage at Mt Smart Stadium on March 24, 2018, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Achievements
Membership
Awards
Q Awards
2011
Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran, winner of Breakthrough Artist at the Q awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on October 24, 2011, in London, England.
Ivor Novello Awards
2012
Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran with the Best Song Musically and Lyrically award received for The A Team at the 2012 Ivor Novello awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
BBC Music Awards
2014
London's Earl's Court, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran at BBC Music Awards-2014.
MTV Europe Music Awards
2015
Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
Ed Sheeran presents on stage during the MTV EMA's 2015 at the Mediolanum Forum on October 25, 2015, in Milan, Italy.
Grammy Awards
2016
Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran accepts the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, for 'Thinking Out Loud,' onstage during the GRAMMY Pre-Telecast at The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Microsoft Theater on February 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California.
iHeartRadio Music Awards
2017
Inglewood, California, United States
Ed Sheeran accepts Best Lyrics for 'Love Yourself' (song by Justin Bieber) onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcast live on Turner's TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
NRJ Music Awards
2017
Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
Ed Sheeran at the Cannes NRJ Music Awards 2017.
Brit Awards
2018
The O2 Arena, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran with the Global Success award at the BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018, in London, England.
Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England, United Kingdom
Ed Sheeran with the Best Song Musically and Lyrically award received for The A Team at the 2012 Ivor Novello awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, United States
Taylor Swift (R) and Ed Sheeran attend Z100's Jingle Ball 2012, presented by Aeropostale, at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2012, in New York City.
Ed Sheeran posed with Tony Moore backstage at The Bedford Showcase in The Hilton Creekside during SXSW 2012 Music Festival on March 15, 2012, in Austin, United States.
Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II is introduced to Ed Sheeran (L) by Kylie Minogue backstage after the Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace Concert on June 04, 2012, in London, England. For only the second time in its history the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have flocked to London to witness the spectacle of the weekend's celebrations.
Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City, California, United States
Ed Sheeran (L) and Harry Styles of One Direction attend the 2013 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 11, 2013, in Universal City, California.
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Recording artist Ed Sheeran performs onstage during KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014 powered by LINE at Staples Center on December 5, 2014, in Los Angeles, California.
Ed Sheeran poses before announcing his huge headlining show for Friday 10 July 2015 as part of his 'X' world tour at Wembley Stadium, on November 10, 2014, in London, England.
Taylor Swift was joined on stage by Ed Sheeran as she kicked off the European leg of her blockbuster The RED Tour with the first of five sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena, playing to a capacity crowd of more than 15500 fans, on February 1, 2014 in London, England.
Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, London, England, United Kingdom
Hozier, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande with Victoria's Secret models on the runway during the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre on December 2, 2014, in London, England.
Ed Sheeran poses with KISS Breakfast presenters Charlie Hedges, Rickie Haywood Williams and Melvin O'Doom as he visits Kiss FM Breakfast at Kiss FM's Studio on June 5, 2014, in London, England.
Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran and Beyonce perform onstage during Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life - An All-Star GRAMMY Salute at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on February 10, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.
Odeon Leicester Square, London, England, United Kingdom
Justin Bieber (L) and Ed Sheeran attend the World Premiere of 'Ed Sheeran: Jumpers For Goalposts' at Odeon Leicester Square on October 22, 2015, in London, England.
Co-host musician Ed Sheeran kneels to his co-host actress Ruby Rose appear on stage during the MTV EMA's 2015 at the Mediolanum Forum on October 25, 2015, in Milan, Italy.
Odeon Leicester Square, London, England, United Kingdom
Maisie Williams (L) and Ed Sheeran attend the World Premiere of 'Ed Sheeran: Jumpers For Goalposts' at Odeon Leicester Square on October 22, 2015 in London, England.
Nokia Theatre L.A., Los Angeles, California, United States
Recording artist Ed Sheeran (L) and actor Jamie Foxx attend Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life - An All-Star GRAMMY Salute at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on February 10, 2015, in Los Angeles, California.
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Ed Sheeran (plaid shirt) joins The Rolling Stones during The Rolling Stones North American 'ZIP CODE' Tour at Arrowhead Stadium on June 27, 2015, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ed Sheeran accepts the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, for 'Thinking Out Loud,' onstage during the GRAMMY Pre-Telecast at The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Microsoft Theater on February 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California.
Ed Sheeran accepts Best Lyrics for 'Love Yourself' (song by Justin Bieber) onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcast live on Turner's TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
Ed Sheeran headlines on the Pyramid Stage during day 4 of the Glastonbury Festival 2017 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 25, 2017, in Glastonbury, England.
Ed Sheeran performs onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcast live on Turner's TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017, in Inglewood, California.
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Singer Ed Sheeran, singer/actor Nick Jonas and Grammy Awards host James Corden attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City, New York, United States
Ed Sheeran performs onstage at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 48th Annual Induction and Awards at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 15, 2017, in New York City.
Ed Sheeran and fiance Cherry Seaborn look on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road on April 21, 2018, in Ipswich, England.
Ed Sheeran attends the 'Songwriter' press conference during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 23, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.
Ed Sheeran attends the 'Songwriter' premiere during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Friedrichstadtpalast on February 23, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.
Ed Sheeran is a Grammy-winning singer/songwriter known for hit songs like 'Thinking Out Loud,' 'Photograph,' 'Shape of You' and 'Perfect.' Sheeran has sold more than 38 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists.
Background
Sheeran was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire on 17 February 1991. When he was a child, he moved with his family from Hebden Bridge to Framlingham in Suffolk. He has an older brother named Matthew who works as a composer. Sheeran's parents, John and Imogen, are from London. His paternal grandparents are Irish, and Sheeran has stated that his father is from a "very large" Catholic family. John is an art curator and lecturer, and Imogen is a culture publicist turned jewellery designer. His parents ran Sheeran Lock, an independent art consultancy, from 1990 to 2010.
Education
Sheeran sang in a local church choir from the age of four, learned to play the guitar during his time at Rishworth School, and began writing songs while at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. He was accepted at the National Youth Theatre in London as a teenager.
He attended the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford as an undergraduate from the age of 18 in 2009.
It wasn’t long before Sheeran was recording CDs and selling them, and he soon put together his first official EP, The Orange Room. With that accomplishment and his abiding ambition driving him, at only 14 years of age, Sheeran headed to London for the summer. Thinking he could find gigs in the big city, Sheeran left home with his guitar and a backpack full of clothes, and his musical career took flight.
Once in London, Sheeran got a busy recording and playing the local singer/songwriter circuit and quickly released two albums: a self-titled record in 2006 and Want Some? in 2007. He also began opening for more established acts, such as Nizlopi, the Noisettes and Jay Sean, and released another EP, You Need Me, in 2009, a year that found Sheeran playing more than 300 live shows.
It wasn’t until 2010 that Sheeran made the leap to the next level in his career, and it came via online media, a route Sheeran had learned to use with great effectiveness. When a video he posted online got the attention of Example, a rapper, Sheeran was asked to go on the road with him as his opening act. This led to an even larger online fan base and inspiration for many more songs, which ended up filling three new EPs, all in 2010.
When Sheeran headed to the U.S. that year, he found a new fan in Jamie Foxx, who asked Sheeran to appear on his Sirius radio show. Soon after, in January 2011, Sheeran released yet another EP, his last as an independent artist. Without any promotion, the record reached No. 2 on the iTunes chart, and he signed on with Atlantic Records that same month.
With Atlantic, Sheeran released his major debut studio album, +. An instant hit, the album sold more than a million copies in the U.K. in the first six months alone. Sheeran began co-writing songs with bigger artists, such as One Direction and Taylor Swift and supported Swift on her 2013 arena tour.
On a roll, Sheeran’s next success would come when his song "I See Fire" was featured in the movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and in June 2014, his next album, x, appeared, debuting at No. 1 in the U.S. and U.K. The project featured three Top 10 singles — "Don't," "Photograph" and "Thinking Out Loud" — with the latter winning the Grammy for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance in 2016.
In 2016 Sheeran took a hiatus to work on his third studio album, ÷ (pronounced "divide"). In January 2017, he released two singles from the album, "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill," which debuted at No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100. Sheeran subsequently released ÷ in March 2017 and announced a world tour. His new album broke a Spotify record for first-day album streams with 56.7 million listens in 24 hours.
Later that year, Sheeran delivered another hit with the love song "Perfect," also released as a joint effort with Beyoncé, titled "Perfect Duet." Its popularity showing no signs of waning, "Perfect" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Songs and Adult Pop Songs charts in mid-January 2018.
Sheeran added to his Grammy haul later that month, winning Best Pop Solo Performance for "Shape of You" and Best Pop Vocal Album for ÷.
As Sheeran's fame swelled, so did the number of cases against the Grammy-winning artist seeking compensation for copyright infringement. In 2014 songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard alleged that Sheeran's "Photograph" was ripped off from their track "Amazing," written for 2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle. The case was settled out of court in 2017.
In 2016, the heirs of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Marvin Gaye's 1973 classic "Let's Get It On, claimed that Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" borrowed extensively from the Gaye track. The case was dismissed the following year, but Sheeran was hit with a new lawsuit in June 2018 over the same song from Structured Asset Sales, which owned part of Townsend's catalog.
In early 2018, Sean Carey and Beau Golden sought $20 million in damages over claims that "The Rest of Our Life," co-written by Sheeran for country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, copied their song "When I Found You," recorded by Jasmine Rae. Calling "The Rest of Our Life" an "originally and independently created musical composition," Sheeran reportedly asked for the suit to be tossed out.
In a December 2017 interview with The Sunday Times' "Culture" magazine, Sheeran spoke of his admiration for Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. "I love Corbyn. I love everything Corbyn is about. And I feel people thought that, because I didn't put myself behind him, I wasn't a Corbyn supporter. He cares about other people. He cares about all classes, races and generations, and that's how I was brought up – we need more people that care about everyone."
Views
Sheeran is a philanthropist. He performed a gig in Bristol, which raised £40,000 for a charity that reaches out to street sex workers. "It's good to show insight that these people are real people with real emotions and they deserve the same charity work as anyone else," Sheeran said. "There's a lot more popular charities that get a lot of attention. And with certain subjects like this they're often washed over and people don't necessarily give them the attention they deserve." Tickets were available to those taking part in the charity's Give it up for One25 campaign by giving something up for 125 hours and hitting the £40,000 fundraising mark.
Sheeran frequently gives away his clothes to charity shops around Suffolk, his home county. An ambassador for East Anglia's Children's Hospice, he has donated clothes to the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop in his home town Framlingham, including eight bags of clothes to the shop in February 2014, and eight items of clothing he wore at the 2015 Grammy Awards. In 2016 he donated 13 bags of clothes to the shop. The tartan shirt worn by Sheeran when he met Renee Zellweger's character, Bridget, in Bridget Jones's Baby, was auctioned online to raise further funds for the hospice.
On 15 November 2014, Sheeran joined the charity supergroup Band Aid 30 along with other British and Irish pop acts, recording the latest version of the track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, to raise money for the West African Ebola virus epidemic.
In November 2015, Sheeran supported the No Cold Homes campaign by the UK charity, Turn2us. Sheeran was one of nearly thirty celebrities, which included Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons and Hugh Laurie, to donate items of winter clothing to the campaign, with the proceeds used to help people in the country struggling to keep their home warm in winter.
Sheeran appeared in a November 2017 episode of Gogglebox along with other UK celebrities such as Ozzy Osbourne, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn as part of Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK's Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign.
Quotations:
"I’ve always said that I wanna be known as the nicest and hardest working guy in the industry, so if I could be known as that that would be brilliant."
“I can’t tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.”
“The worst things in life come free to us.”
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
“Negativity isn’t the way to go. Smile more, eat some chocolate.”
“You want to make sure that someone is there for you when you really need them, and not just there for you for the good times.”
“Be nice to everyone, always smile and appreciate things because it could all be gone tomorrow.”
“I’m gonna pick up the pieces and build a Lego house. If things go wrong we can knock it down.”
“Success is the best revenge for everything.”
“Do what you love, work as hard as you can, and make people happy.”
“When the world’s against me is when I really come alive.”
“I am happy on my own so here I’ll stay. Save your loving arms for a rainy day.”
“I chased the picture perfect life, I think they painted it wrong.”
“The world may be filled with hate, but keep erasing it now, somehow.”
“Me and my friends at the table doing shots, drinking fast and then we talk slow.”
“You know we are made up of love and hate but both of them are balanced on a razor blade.”
“Just remember life is more than fittin’ in your jeans. It’s love and understanding, positivity.”
“Every night I’ll kiss you you’ll say in my ear, Oh we’re in love aren’t we?”
“How would you feel, if I told you I loved you? It’s just something that I want to do.”
“A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved.”
“Love flows deeper than the river every moment that I spend with you.”
Personality
Ed Sheeran possesses a great talent for creativity and self-expression, typical of many accomplished writers, poets, actors and musicians. He is also witty, owns the gift for gab, and savors the limelight.
Sheeran is optimistic and masters the resilience to overcome many setbacks. Thanks to his gift for self expression, he can be the life of the party, and the center of attention. When used constructively, Ed 's talent for self expression can be a great inspiration force in the world, uplifting others, and bringing much success and happiness to him. However, Ed Sheeran could easily squander his talent by becoming a social butterfly.
Physical Characteristics:
Height - 5 ft 8 in or 173 cm.
Weight - 82 kg or 181 pounds.
Build - Average.
Hair Color - Red.
Eye Color - Blue.
Interests
Politicians
Jeremy Corbyn.
Writers
J. K. Rowling.
Sport & Clubs
football
Athletes
Ipswich Town F.C.
Music & Bands
Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Elton John's, Eric Clapton
Connections
Sheeran was in a relationship with Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt (who was in his music video for "Drunk") in 2012, before breaking up. Nesbitt is the subject of Sheeran's songs "Nina" and "Photograph", while most of Nesbitt's album, Peroxide, is about Sheeran. In January 2014, Sheeran was in a relationship with Athina Andrelos, who works for chef Jamie Oliver. She is the inspiration of Sheeran's song "Thinking Out Loud". They broke up in February 2015. Since July 2015, Sheeran has been in a relationship with childhood friend and former high school classmate Cherry Seaborn. They announced their engagement in January 2018. In August 2018 he hinted that they married in a private ceremony.
2011 - Ed Sheeran - Breakthrough Artist;
2014 - Ed Sheeran - Best Solo Artist;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Solo Artist;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - Best Act in the World.
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Song of the Year;
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Best Pop Solo Performance;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Best Pop Solo Performance;
2018 - ÷ - Best Pop Vocal Album.
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Song of the Year;
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Best Pop Solo Performance;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Best Pop Solo Performance;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Male Artist of the Year;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Song of the Year;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Most Thumbed Up Song of the Year;
2018 - ÷ - Pop Album of the Year.
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Male Artist of the Year;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Song of the Year;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Most Thumbed Up Song of the Year;
2015 - International Male Artist of the Year - Ed Sheeran;
2017 - International Male Artist of the Year - Ed Sheeran;
2017 - Honor Award - Ed Sheeran;
2017 - International Video of the Year - Shape of You.
2015 - International Male Artist of the Year - Ed Sheeran;
2017 - International Male Artist of the Year - Ed Sheeran;
2017 - Honor Award - Ed Sheeran;
2017 - International Video of the Year - Shape of You.
2012 - Ed Sheeran - British Breakthrough Act;
2012 - Ed Sheeran - British Male Solo Artist;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - British Male Solo Artist;
2015 - x - British Album of the Year;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Global Success Award.
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock.
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock.
APRA Awards
2018 - "Shape of You" - International Work of the Year.
2018 - "Shape of You" - International Work of the Year.
BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards
2011 - "The A Team" - Best British Single;
2014 - Ed Sheeran - Best British Solo Act;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best British Solo Act;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - Best British Solo Act;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Best British Solo Act.
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Male Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Hot 100 Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Song Sales Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Radio Songs Artist;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Top Radio Song.
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Male Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Hot 100 Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Song Sales Artist;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Top Radio Songs Artist;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Top Radio Song.
BMI Awards
2013 - "The A Team" - Pop Award Songs;
2014 - "Everything Has Changed" (with Taylor Swift) - Pop Award Songs;
2014 - "Lego House" - Pop Award Songs;
2014 - "Little Things" - Pop Award Songs;
2016 - "Photograph" - Pop Award Songs;
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Pop Award Songs;
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Song of the Year;
2017 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Million Performance Songs;
2017 - "Cold Water" (as a Writer) - Pop Award Songs;
2017 - "Love Yourself" - Song of the Year.
2013 - "The A Team" - Pop Award Songs;
2014 - "Everything Has Changed" (with Taylor Swift) - Pop Award Songs;
2014 - "Lego House" - Pop Award Songs;
2014 - "Little Things" - Pop Award Songs;
2016 - "Photograph" - Pop Award Songs;
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Pop Award Songs;
2016 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Song of the Year;
2017 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Million Performance Songs;
2017 - "Cold Water" (as a Writer) - Pop Award Songs;
2017 - "Love Yourself" - Song of the Year.
Danish Music Awards
2017 - "Shape of You" - International Hit of the Year.
2017 - "Shape of You" - International Hit of the Year.
2014 - Ed Sheeran - International Male Artist of the Year;
2014 - X - International Album of the Year;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - International Solo Artist of the Year;
2018 - Divide - International Album of the Year;
2018 - Shape of You - International Hit of the Year.
2014 - Ed Sheeran - International Male Artist of the Year;
2014 - X - International Album of the Year;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - International Solo Artist of the Year;
2018 - Divide - International Album of the Year;
2018 - Shape of You - International Hit of the Year.
2014 - Ed Sheeran - International Solo Artist of the Year;
2014 - X - International Album of the Year;
2014 - I See Fire - International Hit of the Year.
2014 - Ed Sheeran - International Solo Artist of the Year;
2014 - X - International Album of the Year;
2014 - I See Fire - International Hit of the Year.
2015 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Most Buzzworthy International Artist or Group;
2015 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Best International Artist;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - Most Buzzworthy International Artist or Group.
2015 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Most Buzzworthy International Artist or Group;
2015 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Best International Artist;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - Most Buzzworthy International Artist or Group.
JIM Awards
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Male – International;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - best Pop;
2015 - x - Best Album.
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Male – International;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - best Pop;
2015 - x - Best Album.
LOS40 Music Awards
2014 - x - Best International Album;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - International Artist of the Year;
2017 - ÷ - International Album of the Year.
2014 - x - Best International Album;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - International Artist of the Year;
2014 - "Sing" (featuring Pharrell Williams) - Best Male Video;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - Artist of the Year.
2014 - "Sing" (featuring Pharrell Williams) - Best Male Video;
2017 - Ed Sheeran - Artist of the Year.
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
2017 - "Shape of You" - Best Pop International Video.
2017 - "Shape of You" - Best Pop International Video.
Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards
2013 - Favorite UK Male Artist - Ed Sheeran.
2013 - Favorite UK Male Artist - Ed Sheeran.
People's Choice Awards
2015 - × - Favorite Album;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Favorite Male Artist;
2016 - Ed Sheeran - Favorite Male Artist.
2015 - × - Favorite Album;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Favorite Male Artist;
2016 - Ed Sheeran - Favorite Male Artist.
Radio Disney Music Awards
2014 - "Everything Has Changed" (with Taylor Swift) - Best Musical Collaboration;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Male Artist;
2018 - "Perfect" - Best Crush Song.
2014 - "Everything Has Changed" (with Taylor Swift) - Best Musical Collaboration;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Male Artist;
2018 - "Perfect" - Best Crush Song.
Swiss Music Awards
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Act International;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Best Act International;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Best Hit International.
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Best Act International;
2018 - Ed Sheeran - Best Act International;
2018 - "Shape of You" - Best Hit International.
Teen Choice Awards
2013 - Ed Sheeran - Choice Breakout Artist;
2014 - Ed Sheeran - Choice Male Artist;
2014 - "Sing" (featuring Pharrell Williams) - Choice Song: Male Artist;
2015 - Ed Sheeran - Choice Male Artist;
2015 - Ed Sheeran -Choice Summer Music Star Male;
2015 - "Thinking Out Loud" - Choice Song: Male Artist;
2017 - "Shape of You" - Choice Pop Song;
2018 - "Perfect" - Choice Song: Male Artist.