History of Ed Sheeran in Timeline
Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He started writing songs at a young age. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the EP No. 5 Collaborations Project. He gained recognition and signed with Asylum Records that same year, marking the beginning of his successful music career.
1990: Parents' Art Consultancy
From 1990 to 2010, Ed Sheeran's parents, John and Imogen, ran an independent art consultancy called Sheeran Lock.
February 1991: Birth of Edward Christopher Sheeran
Edward Christopher Sheeran was born in February 1991 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, marking the beginning of his life.
February 1991: Ed Sheeran's Birth
In February 1991, Edward Christopher Sheeran was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, marking the beginning of his life and career as a singer-songwriter.
December 1995: Family Move to Framlingham
In December 1995, Ed Sheeran moved with his family from Hebden Bridge to Framlingham in Suffolk, where he continued his education.
June 2002: Inspiration from Eric Clapton's performance
In June 2002, at the age of eleven, Ed Sheeran watched Eric Clapton perform at the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert. He bought a guitar two days later and tried to play the 'Layla' riff.
2002: Inspiration from Damien Rice
In 2002, Ed Sheeran was inspired by Damien Rice after seeing him play in a small club in Ireland, which prompted him to start writing songs.
2004: First Music Recording
In 2004, Ed Sheeran began recording music and independently released his first collection of work, titled Spinning Man, marking the start of his journey as a recording artist.
2004: School Report and "Most Likely to Be Famous"
In 2004, a school report described Ed Sheeran as a "natural performer", and his classmates voted him "most likely to be famous", foreshadowing his future success.
2007: Youth Music Theatre UK Production
In 2007, Ed Sheeran successfully auditioned for Youth Music Theatre UK and joined their production of Frankenstein – A New Musical in Plymouth, gaining valuable performance experience.
April 2008: Opening for Nizlopi
In April 2008, Ed Sheeran opened for Nizlopi in Norwich after working as one of their guitar technicians, gaining experience performing in front of larger audiences.
2009: Handmade You Need Me EP
In 2009 Ed Sheeran created a handmade 'You Need Me' EP. It was later donated to auction.
2009: Academy of Contemporary Music and EP Release
In the autumn of 2009, Ed Sheeran began studying music at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, Surrey. Also in 2009, he released another EP, You Need Me.
February 2010: SB.TV Video and Invitation to Tour with Example
In February 2010, Ed Sheeran posted a video through SB.TV, which led to rapper Example inviting him to tour. In February 2010, he also released his critically acclaimed Loose Change EP.
June 2010: Station Session in St. Pancras International
In June 2010, Ed Sheeran played a Station Session in St. Pancras International, increasing his visibility and fan base.
2010: End of Parents' Art Consultancy
From 1990 to 2010, Ed Sheeran's parents, John and Imogen, ran an independent art consultancy called Sheeran Lock.
January 2011: Release of No. 5 Collaborations Project
On January 8, 2011, Ed Sheeran released another independent EP, No. 5 Collaborations Project, featuring grime artists. It gained mainstream attention and reached number 2 in the iTunes chart without any promotion or label.
April 2011: Appearance on Later... with Jools Holland
On April 26, 2011, Ed Sheeran appeared on the BBC music show Later... with Jools Holland, where he performed his debut single, "The A Team", marking a significant TV appearance.
September 2011: Release of Debut Album +
In September 2011, Ed Sheeran's debut album, + (Plus), was released and quickly topped the UK Albums Chart, featuring his first hit single, "The A Team."
November 2011: Co-writing "Moments" for One Direction
In November 2011, Ed Sheeran co-wrote the song "Moments" on the debut album by boy band One Direction, showcasing his songwriting talent.
2011: Release of No. 5 Collaborations Project and Signing with Asylum Records
In 2011, Ed Sheeran independently released the extended play No. 5 Collaborations Project, gaining recognition. Later in 2011, he signed with Asylum Records, a significant step in his music career.
2011: Purchased and renovated a farm near Framlingham, Suffolk
In early 2011, Ed Sheeran purchased and renovated a farm near Framlingham, Suffolk, where he was raised, with the intention of raising a family there.
January 2012: Supporting Snow Patrol on US Tour
On January 10, 2012, it was announced that Ed Sheeran would support Snow Patrol on their US tour from late March until May, gaining exposure to a wider audience.
February 2012: Release of "Drunk"
In February 2012, "Drunk" was released and became Ed Sheeran's fourth consecutive top-ten single in the UK, peaking at number nine.
March 2012: + Album Sales in the UK
As of March 2012, Ed Sheeran's album + had sold 1,021,072 copies in the UK, marking a significant milestone in its commercial success.
March 2012: Taylor Swift Contact
In March 2012, Taylor Swift contacted Ed Sheeran after hearing his music while touring Australia, leading to future collaborations.
May 2012: Ivor Novello Award for "The A Team"
At the Ivor Novello Awards in May 2012, Ed Sheeran's "The A Team" won Best Song Musically and Lyrically, surpassing other notable songs.
June 2012: Performance at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert
On June 4, 2012, Ed Sheeran performed "The A Team" at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II concert, marking a high-profile performance.
August 2012: Performance at the 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony
On August 12, 2012, Ed Sheeran performed a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, showcasing his versatility.
November 2012: Contributions to One Direction's Album
In November 2012, Ed Sheeran contributed two songs to One Direction's second studio album, Take Me Home, with "Little Things" becoming a number-one hit in the UK.
2012: In a relationship with Nina Nesbitt
In 2012, Ed Sheeran was in a relationship with Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt, who was in his music video for "Drunk".
2012: Named a baron of Sealand
In 2012, Ed Sheeran was named a baron of Sealand, an unrecognized micronation.
2012: Brit Awards Wins
In 2012, Ed Sheeran won the Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act, marking a significant achievement in his early career.
September 2013: Touring with Taylor Swift
From March to September 2013, Ed Sheeran served as the opening act for Taylor Swift's The Red Tour across North America, which he described as his biggest tour at the time.
October 2013: Sold-Out Shows at Madison Square Garden
In October 2013, Ed Sheeran headlined three sold-out shows at New York's Madison Square Garden, debuting new songs like "Tenerife Sea."
November 2013: Release of "I See Fire"
On November 5, 2013, Ed Sheeran released "I See Fire", which was featured in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and on his second album's deluxe version.
2013: Grammy Nomination and Performance with Elton John
In 2013, "The A Team" received a nomination for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards, and Ed Sheeran performed at the ceremony alongside Elton John.
2013: Lived between Hendersonville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California
In 2013, Ed Sheeran lived between Hendersonville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California.
February 2014: Donation to St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop
In February 2014, Ed Sheeran donated eight bags of clothes to the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop in his home town Framlingham.
March 2014: Performance at Teenage Cancer Trust Charity Concert
On March 24, 2014, Ed Sheeran performed at the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, unveiling a new song, "Take It Back."
April 2014: Release of "Sing"
On April 7, 2014, Ed Sheeran released "Sing", the lead single from his upcoming album. Sonically, the song represented a departure from his previous sound.
May 2014: Release of "One"
On May 16, 2014, Ed Sheeran released "One", an acoustic ballad, as a promotional single to reassure fans amidst the hype generated by "Sing."
June 2014: First Number-One Single in the UK with "Sing"
By early June 2014, "Sing" earned Ed Sheeran his first number-one single in the UK, marking a significant achievement in his career.
June 2014: Release of "×" ("Multiply")
In June 2014, Ed Sheeran's second studio album, "×" ("Multiply"), was released worldwide, marking a significant milestone in his career. Sheeran wrote over 120 songs for this album over three years.
June 2014: Release of Second Studio Album ×
In June 2014, Ed Sheeran's second studio album, × (Multiply), was released and topped charts worldwide, becoming the second-best-selling album globally in 2015.
August 2014: Start of World Tour
On August 6, 2014, Ed Sheeran embarked on a world tour in Osaka, Japan to support his album "×".
September 2014: Release of "Thinking Out Loud"
On September 24, 2014, "Thinking Out Loud" was released as the third single from the album. Sheeran also took the lead role in the single's music video, where he performed a ballroom dance.
September 2014: Performance at the 2014 AFL Grand Final
On September 27, 2014, Ed Sheeran was one of the headline acts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground prior to the 2014 AFL Grand Final.
November 2014: Wembley Stadium Shows Announcement
In November 2014, Ed Sheeran announced his shows at London's Wembley Stadium which were part of his world tour to take place in 2015.
November 2014: Joining Band Aid 30 for Ebola relief
On 15 November 2014, Ed Sheeran joined Band Aid 30 to record "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for the West African Ebola virus epidemic.
2014: Ed Sheeran as Heinz Instagram Influencer
Dating back to 2014, 1/3 of @HEINZ Instagram posts include people mentioning or tagging Ed Sheeran
2014: V Festival performance
During the 2014 V Festival, Ed Sheeran gave a performance for which he won the award for Best Live Stage at the 2015 MTV Europe Music Awards.
2014: Bought a house in South London
In 2014, Ed Sheeran bought a house in South London.
2014: Acting debut on Shortland Street
In 2014, Ed Sheeran made his acting debut with a cameo role as himself on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.
2014: In a relationship with Athina Andrelos
In 2014, Ed 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".
2014: Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist
In 2014, Ed Sheeran was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, recognizing his breakthrough success in the music industry.
2014: Completed the 2014 World Cup sticker album.
In 2014, Ed Sheeran, a collector of Panini's FIFA World Cup sticker album, completed the 2014 World Cup album.
February 2015: Broke up with Athina Andrelos
In February 2015, Ed Sheeran broke up with Athina Andrelos.
March 2015: Announcement of Gingerbread Man Records
In March 2015, Ed Sheeran announced he was setting up a record label, Gingerbread Man Records, which is a deal with Warner Music Group.
May 2015: Appearance on Undateable
In May 2015, Ed Sheeran appeared as himself and performed on a live episode of the NBC sitcom Undateable.
June 2015: Listed by Forbes as 27th-highest-earning celebrity in the world
In June 2015, Forbes listed Ed Sheeran's earnings at $57 million for the previous 12 months and ranked him the 27th-highest-earning celebrity in the world.
July 2015: Sold-Out Wembley Stadium Shows
From July 10-12, 2015, Ed Sheeran performed sold-out shows at London's Wembley Stadium as part of his world tour.
July 2015: Began a relationship with Cherry Seaborn
In July 2015, Ed Sheeran began a relationship with childhood friend and former secondary school classmate Cherry Seaborn.
August 2015: Collaboration on "Growing Up" with Macklemore
In August 2015, Ed Sheeran collaborated with Macklemore on the track "Growing Up."
August 2015: Launch of Gingerbread Man Records and YouTube channel
In August 2015, Ed Sheeran launched Gingerbread Man Records alongside its accompanying YouTube channel.
August 2015: NBC Airs "Ed Sheeran - Live at Wembley Stadium"
On August 16, 2015, NBC aired a one-hour special titled "Ed Sheeran – Live at Wembley Stadium," featuring behind-the-scenes footage of his concert.
October 2015: Received an honorary degree from the University of Suffolk
In October 2015, Ed Sheeran received an honorary degree from the University of Suffolk in Ipswich for his "outstanding contribution to music".
October 2015: Jamie Lawson's debut album release
On 9 October 2015, Jamie Lawson released his self-titled debut album on Ed Sheeran's label, which earned him a number one in the UK Albums Chart.
November 2015: Release of "Jumpers for Goalposts: Live at Wembley Stadium" DVD
In November 2015, Ed Sheeran released the DVD "Jumpers for Goalposts: Live at Wembley Stadium", commemorating his concerts at Wembley Stadium.
November 2015: Signing of Foy Vance to Gingerbread Man Records
In November 2015, Ed Sheeran signed Foy Vance to his record label, Gingerbread Man Records.
November 2015: Support for the No Cold Homes campaign
In November 2015, Ed Sheeran supported the No Cold Homes campaign by Turn2us, donating winter clothing.
2015: Taylor Swift cited as one of Ed Sheeran's influences
In 2015, Ed Sheeran cited Taylor Swift as one of his influences, suggesting their respective success drives each other on.
2015: Received Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist and Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year
In 2015, Ed Sheeran received the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist, and the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year, acknowledging his talent and contributions to British music.
2015: Album of the Year at Brit Awards and Ivor Novello Award
In 2015, Ed Sheeran's album × won Album of the Year at the Brit Awards. Also in 2015, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year, highlighting his songwriting prowess.
2015: Sami Chokri and Ross O'Donoghue composed "Oh Why"
In 2015, musicians Sami Chokri and Ross O'Donoghue composed "Oh Why", which would later be at the center of a copyright lawsuit against Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You".
April 2016: Collaboration with Eric Clapton on his album
In April 2016, Ed Sheeran sang on Eric Clapton's album I Still Do, credited as 'Angelo Mysterioso'.
May 2016: "×" Named Second-Best-Selling Album Worldwide
In May 2016, Ed Sheeran's album "×" was recognized as the second-best-selling album worldwide in 2015, only behind Adele's "25".
June 2016: Opposed Brexit following referendum result
Following the June 2016 referendum result where the British public voted to leave, Ed Sheeran opposed Brexit (the United Kingdom leaving the European Union), and supported "remain".
December 2016: Social Media Comeback and Album Hint
On December 13, 2016, Ed Sheeran returned from a year-long hiatus, posting a light blue picture on social media hinting at a new album release.
2016: Appearance in Bridget Jones's Baby
In 2016, Ed Sheeran appeared as himself in the film Bridget Jones's Baby, encountering Bridget Jones at the Glastonbury Festival.
2016: Donation of clothes to St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop
In 2016, Ed Sheeran donated 13 bags of clothes to the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop.
2016: Grammy Awards for "Thinking Out Loud"
In 2016, Ed Sheeran earned Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for his hit song "Thinking Out Loud", marking a high point in his career.
2016: Received Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "Thinking Out Loud"
In 2016, Ed Sheeran received a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for "Thinking Out Loud", recognizing the song's widespread popularity and critical acclaim.
February 2017: Previous case by Townsend's estate was dismissed without prejudice
In February 2017, a previous case by Townsend's estate against Sheeran was dismissed without prejudice.
March 2017: Beginning of the ÷ Tour
Beginning in March 2017, Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour started, which eventually became the highest-grossing tour of all time by August 2019.
March 2017: Release of ÷ ("Divide") and Chart Records
In March 2017, Ed Sheeran released his third album, ÷ (Divide), which became the best-selling album worldwide for that year. In March 2017, his singles "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill" debuted at the top, and he broke the record for most top-10 UK singles from one album.
March 2017: Charity single with People Just Do Nothing
In March 2017, Ed Sheeran teamed up with the cast of People Just Do Nothing to perform a charity single for Comic Relief.
March 2017: Launch of Divide Tour
On March 17, 2017, Ed Sheeran began the Divide Tour, featuring shows across Europe, South America, and North America.
March 2017: Release of "÷" ("Divide")
On March 3, 2017, Ed Sheeran released his fourth studio album, "÷" ("Divide"), which quickly reached number one in multiple countries.
June 2017: Headlining Glastonbury Festival
On June 25, 2017, Ed Sheeran headlined the final night of the Glastonbury Festival, performing in front of a massive crowd.
July 2017: Appearance on Game of Thrones
In July 2017, Ed Sheeran appeared in a scene on Game of Thrones opposite Maisie Williams.
November 2017: Appearance on Gogglebox for Stand Up to Cancer
In November 2017, Ed Sheeran appeared in an episode of Gogglebox for Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK's Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign.
December 2017: Spotify's Most-Streamed Artist of 2017
In December 2017, Ed Sheeran was named Spotify's most-streamed artist of the year with 6.3 billion streams.
December 2017: Collaboration with Eminem on "River"
In December 2017, Eminem announced his collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the song "River" for his ninth studio album, Revival.
December 2017: Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire
On December 7, 2017, Ed Sheeran received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace for his "services to music and charity".
2017: Publicly endorsed the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn
In 2017, Ed Sheeran publicly endorsed the Labour Party and then-leader Jeremy Corbyn during the 2017 United Kingdom general election.
2017: Release of "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill"
In 2017, Ed Sheeran released two singles, "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill", and also implied that he would possibly make an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival.
2017: Settled out of court over copyright claims for "Photograph"
In 2017, Ed Sheeran settled out of court over claims his song "Photograph" was a "note-for-note" copy of the chorus in the song "Amazing" by Matt Cardle, though he later regretted the decision.
2017: "Shape of You" named Best-Selling Single of 2017
In January 2018, "Shape of You" was officially recognized as the best-selling single of 2017 in both the UK and the US.
January 2018: "÷" Named Best-Selling Album of 2017
In January 2018, "÷" was named the best-selling album of 2017 in the UK and the US.
January 2018: Announced engagement to Cherry Seaborn
In January 2018, Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn announced their engagement.
February 2018: Brit Awards Performance and Global Success Award
On February 21, 2018, Ed Sheeran performed "Supermarket Flowers" at the Brit Awards and received the Global Success Award.
June 2018: Release of "Summer On You" by PrettyMuch, co-written by Sheeran
On June 21, 2018, "Summer On You", by PrettyMuch, a song co-written by Ed Sheeran, was released.
July 2018: Named ninth on Forbes' list of the highest-paid celebrities
In July 2018, Forbes named Ed Sheeran ninth on their list of the highest-paid celebrities.
October 2018: Signed letter calling for "a 2nd vote" on Brexit
In October 2018, Ed Sheeran was among a group of British musicians who signed a letter to then Prime Minister Theresa May, drafted by Bob Geldof, calling for "a 2nd vote" on Brexit, stating the impact on the music industry.
2018: Received Billboard Music Award for Top Artist and Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year
In 2018, Ed Sheeran received the Billboard Music Award for Top Artist and also received the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year for the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.
2018: Ranked fourth-greatest Yorkshireman ever
In 2018, Ed Sheeran was ranked the fourth-greatest Yorkshireman ever behind Monty Python comedian Michael Palin, and actors Sean Bean and Patrick Stewart.
2018: Legal action brought against Sheeran for copying parts of "Let's Get It On"
In 2018, legal action was brought against Ed Sheeran by the estate and heirs of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote "Let's Get It On" with Marvin Gaye, accusing him of copying parts of the song in "Thinking Out Loud".
May 2019: Release of "I Don't Care" with Justin Bieber
On May 10, 2019, Ed Sheeran released the single "I Don't Care," a duet with Justin Bieber, which broke Spotify's single-day streaming record.
June 2019: Supporting role in Yesterday film
In June 2019, Ed Sheeran appeared as himself in a supporting role in the film Yesterday.
June 2019: Heinz Tomato Ketchup advertisement
In June 2019, Ed Sheeran appeared in an advertisement for Heinz Tomato Ketchup and released a limited edition ketchup product known as Ed Sheeran X Heinz ketchup, also known as "Heinz Edchup".
June 2019: Debut of "Cross Me" featuring Chance the Rapper and PnB Rock
On May 31, 2019, "Cross Me" featuring Chance the Rapper and PnB Rock debuted at number 9 in the UK.
June 2019: Release of "Beautiful People" featuring Khalid
Released on June 28, 2019, "Beautiful People" featuring Khalid debuted at number 3 in the UK and number 4 in Australia.
August 2019: ÷ Tour Becomes Highest-Grossing of All Time
In August 2019, Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour became the highest-grossing tour of all time, solidifying his status as a global music phenomenon.
September 2019: Announcement of Bertie Blossoms bar
On 29 September 2019, Ed Sheeran announced he was teaming up with his manager Stuart Camp to open a bar called "Bertie Blossoms".
December 2019: Launch of Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation (ESSMF)
In December 2019, Ed Sheeran launched his own music foundation, Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation (ESSMF), to help artists aged under 18.
December 2019: Named Artist of the Decade
In December 2019, Ed Sheeran was named artist of the decade by the Official Charts Company for his success in the UK charts.
December 2019: Named Artist of the Decade by Official Charts Company
In December 2019, the Official Charts Company named Ed Sheeran artist of the decade, recognizing his combined success in the UK album and singles charts throughout the 2010s.
2019: Worth u00a3160 million as the 17th-richest musician in the UK
According to The Sunday Times Rich List of 2019, Ed Sheeran was worth £160 million (US$207 million) as the 17th-richest musician in the UK.
2019: Received multiple awards
As of 2019, Ed Sheeran has received four Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards, and six Billboard Music Awards, solidifying his success and influence in the music industry.
2019: Release of No.6 Collaborations Project
In 2019, Ed Sheeran released his fourth overall album and first collaborative album, No.6 Collaborations Project, which debuted at number one in most major markets and included three UK number one singles.
2019: Cited as "the godfather of the current crop of singer-songwriters"
In 2019, The Guardian writer Laura Snapes cited Ed Sheeran as "the godfather of the current crop of singer-songwriters", stating that Sheeran inspired "troubadours" to enter the music charts. She also noted that he marked "the calcification of the everyman male pop star".
2019: Court rejects Sheeran's call to dismiss legal case accusing him of copying parts of "Let's Get It On" in "Thinking Out Loud"
In 2019, US District Judge Louis Stanton rejected Ed Sheeran's call for dismissal of a legal case accusing him of copying parts of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in "Thinking Out Loud".
May 2020: Donation to Thomas Mills High School
In May 2020, Ed Sheeran donated £170,000 to his former school Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, Suffolk.
June 2020: Donation to Suffolk Community Foundation's "Rebuilding Local Lives Appeal"
In June 2020, Ed Sheeran made a "founding gift" to launch Suffolk Community Foundation's "Rebuilding Local Lives Appeal" in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 2020: Announced expecting first child with Cherry Seaborn
It was reported on August 12, 2020, that Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn were expecting their first child.
October 2020: The Ed Sheeran Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction
In October 2020, Ed Sheeran's parents organised The Ed Sheeran Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction to raise money for Suffolk charities.
December 2020: Surprise Single Release: "Afterglow"
On December 21, 2020, Ed Sheeran released the surprise single, "Afterglow", after a hiatus following the birth of his child.
June 2021: Release of "Bad Habits"
On June 25, 2021, Ed Sheeran released "Bad Habits", the lead single from his upcoming fifth studio album.
October 2021: Tested positive for COVID-19
On 24 October 2021, Ed Sheeran tested positive for COVID-19 less than a week before the release of his fifth album.
October 2021: Release of "=" ("Equals") Album
On August 19th, Ed Sheeran announced that his fifth studio album, = ("Equals"), would be released on October 29, 2021.
November 2021: Release of "Merry Christmas" with Elton John
On November 29, 2021, Ed Sheeran and Elton John released "Merry Christmas", a duet single for charity.
2021: Kit sponsored Ipswich Town for the 2021-22 season
In 2021, Ed Sheeran's +–=÷x Tour kit sponsored his local football club Ipswich Town's 2021–22 season and was named in the club's squad list.
2021: Release of = ("Equals")
In 2021, Ed Sheeran's fifth studio album, = (Equals), topped the charts in most major markets, continuing his streak of successful album releases.
2021: Urged the United States Congress to pass the Equality Act
In 2021, Ed Sheeran, along with several other celebrities, urged the United States Congress to pass the proposed Equality Act, which would expand the Civil Rights Act in order to outlaw discrimination against LGBT people.
2021: Maisie Peters signed with Gingerbread Man Records
In 2021, Maisie Peters signed with Ed Sheeran's record label Gingerbread Man Records.
2021: Cited as having "one of the biggest pop careers of this generation."
In 2021, The Independent stated that Ed Sheeran had "one of the biggest pop careers of this generation," solidifying his status as a major figure in contemporary music.
February 2022: Release of "The Joker and the Queen" duet with Taylor Swift and "Bad Habits" remix with Bring Me the Horizon
In February 2022, Ed Sheeran released a duet version of "The Joker and the Queen" featuring Taylor Swift. Also in February 2022, Sheeran released a new version of "Bad Habits" with the pop metal group Bring Me the Horizon.
March 2022: Won copyright lawsuit over "Shape of You"
In March 2022, Ed Sheeran won a copyright lawsuit over "Shape of You", with Mr Justice Zacaroli ruling he "neither deliberately nor subconsciously" copied a phrase from "Oh Why" when writing "Shape of You".
May 2022: Birth of second daughter, Jupiter Seaborn Sheeran
On May 19, 2022, it was announced that Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn's second daughter, Jupiter Seaborn Sheeran, was born.
2022: +-=÷x Tour Kit sponsorship renewed with Ipswich Town
In 2022, Ed Sheeran renewed his +–=÷x Tour kit sponsorship deal with Ipswich Town for the 2022–23 season.
March 2023: Wife developed a tumour during pregnancy
On 1 March 2023, Ed Sheeran revealed that his wife, while pregnant, had developed a tumour with "no route to treatment until after the birth".
March 2023: Announcement of "Subtract" album and release of "Eyes Closed"
On March 1, 2023, Ed Sheeran officially announced his sixth studio album, - ("Subtract"), and on March 24, 2023, Sheeran released the album's lead single, "Eyes Closed" with its accompanying music video.
April 2023: Jury found in favor of Sheeran in "Let's Get It On" copyright case
In April 2023, a jury found in favor of Ed Sheeran in the "Let's Get It On" copyright case, with a unanimous verdict.
April 2023: Release of "Boat" single
On April 21, 2023, Ed Sheeran released "Boat" as the second single off the record.
May 2023: Release of - ("Subtract")
On May 5, 2023, Ed Sheeran released his sixth album, - (Subtract), adding another album to his discography.
May 2023: Release of "Subtract" album and "Life Goes On" single
On May 5, 2023, Ed Sheeran released his sixth studio album, - ("Subtract"), and the third single, "Life Goes On".
August 2023: Announcement of "Autumn Variations" album
In August 2023, Ed Sheeran announced his second album of the year, Autumn Variations.
September 2023: Release of "Autumn Variations" album
On September 29, 2023, Ed Sheeran released his album Autumn Variations. It is his first studio album for which he owns the copyright, and also his first to be released through Gingerbread Man Records.
2023: Net worth estimated at u00a3300 million
In 2023, Ed Sheeran's net worth is estimated at £300 million.
2023: Ranked third as musical act fans most want to see live.
In a 2023 poll conducted by the O2 Priority Tickets platform, Ed Sheeran ranked third, after Queen and the Beatles, as the musical act, past and present, that music fans would most want to see live.
2023: Hints about the title of upcoming album
In late 2023, the title of Ed Sheeran's upcoming album had previously been hinted at.
July 2024: Third Most Followed Artist on Spotify
As of July 2024, Ed Sheeran is the 3rd most followed artist on Spotify, showcasing his immense popularity and reach in the digital music landscape.
August 2024: Acquired minority stake in Ipswich Town football club
In August 2024, Ed Sheeran acquired a minority stake of 1.4% in Ipswich Town football club.
2024: Won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for "A Beautiful Game" from Ted Lasso
In 2024 Ed Sheeran won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for "A Beautiful Game" from Ted Lasso.
2024: Confirmation of The Offspring as an influence
In 2024, Ed Sheeran confirmed punk band The Offspring as an influence.
2024: Endorsed the Labour Party and leader Keir Starmer.
In the 2024 general election, Ed Sheeran endorsed the Labour Party and leader Keir Starmer.
February 2025: Confirmation of eighth studio album "Play"
On February 14, 2025, Ed Sheeran confirmed his upcoming eighth studio album to be titled Play in a social media comment.
