Ed Sheeran facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Ed Sheeran MBE
Sheeran in 2018
Born	Edward Christopher Sheeran (1991-02-17) 17 February 1991 (age 34) Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
Occupation	Singer-songwriter musician record producer actor
Years active	2004–present
Spouse(s)	Cherry Seaborn (m. 2019)
Children	2
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Framlingham, Suffolk, England
Genres	Pop folk-pop soft rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Asylum Atlantic Elektra Gingerbread Man

Signature

Edward Christopher Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is a famous English singer and songwriter. He is known for his amazing guitar skills and heartfelt songs. Born in Halifax, England, he grew up in Framlingham, Suffolk. He started writing songs when he was only eleven years old.

In 2011, he signed with a record label and released his first album, + (Plus). This album was a huge hit in the United Kingdom. His success grew with his next albums: × (Multiply), ÷ (Divide), = (Equals), and − (Subtract). Many of his songs, like "Shape of You," "Perfect," and "Thinking Out Loud," became number-one hits around the world.

Sheeran has sold over 200 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists ever. He has won many awards, including four Grammy Awards. His ÷ Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time when it finished in 2019. Besides music, he has also acted in movies and TV shows, like the 2019 film Yesterday.

Early Life and Musical Start

Framlingham Castle is in Sheeran's hometown. His 2017 song "Castle on the Hill" is about growing up there.

Edward Christopher Sheeran was born on February 17, 1991, in Halifax, West Yorkshire. When he was young, his family moved to Framlingham in Suffolk. His parents, John and Imogen, worked in the art world. He has an older brother, Matthew, who is a composer.

Ed's love for music started early. He joined a church choir at age four and learned to play the guitar at eleven. He began writing his own songs while attending Thomas Mills High School. A school report from 2004 called him a "natural performer." His classmates even voted him "most likely to be famous." As a teenager, he was accepted into the National Youth Theatre in London.

Career Journey

2004–2010: The Road to Fame

Sheeran performing in Ipswich in July 2010

Sheeran started recording music in 2004. In 2008, he moved to London to follow his dream, playing in small venues. He studied music at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) but soon left to tour with other artists.

He used the internet to share his music. He posted videos on YouTube, which helped him build a fan base. He got praise from The Independent newspaper and the famous musician Elton John. In 2010, he was invited to perform at a club in Los Angeles run by actor Jamie Foxx.

In January 2011, Sheeran released an EP called No. 5 Collaborations Project. It featured several grime artists. The EP was a surprise hit, reaching number 2 on the iTunes chart without any promotion. This success got him noticed, and he was soon signed to Asylum Records.

2011–2013: First Album + (Plus)

Sheeran at a music festival in Austria in August 2012

On April 26, 2011, Sheeran performed his first single, "The A Team", on the TV show Later... with Jools Holland. The song became a huge hit. It was the lead single from his debut album, + (Plus), which came out in September 2011. The album went straight to number one on the UK Albums Chart.

In 2012, Sheeran won two Brit Awards: Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act. He also started gaining fans in America. He co-wrote the song "Everything Has Changed" with Taylor Swift for her album Red. He also wrote songs for the band One Direction, including their number-one hit "Little Things".

From March to September 2013, Sheeran was the opening act for Taylor Swift's The Red Tour across North America. This was his biggest tour yet. In October 2013, he played three sold-out shows at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City.

2014–2015: Global Success with × (Multiply)

Sheeran's second album, × (Multiply), was released in June 2014. It became a number-one album in both the UK and the US. The lead single, "Sing", was his first number-one single in the UK.

Another single from the album, "Thinking Out Loud", became a global sensation. It reached number one in the UK and was a top hit in the US. In 2014, Spotify named him the most-streamed artist of the year.

Sheeran on stage at Wembley Stadium in London, July 2015

In July 2015, Sheeran performed three sold-out shows at London's Wembley Stadium. These concerts were filmed for a TV special called Ed Sheeran – Live at Wembley Stadium. In 2016, "Thinking Out Loud" won two Grammy Awards: Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

2016–2018: The Record-Breaking ÷ (Divide)

Sheeran on his Divide Tour in 2017. It became the highest-grossing tour of all time.

After a year-long break, Sheeran returned in 2017 with his third album, ÷ (Divide). It was the best-selling album worldwide in 2017. The first two singles, "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill", were released on the same day. They immediately shot to number one and two on the UK charts, a first for any artist.

"Shape of You" became a massive international hit. By March 2017, Sheeran had ten top-10 singles from the album on the UK charts, breaking a record. His song "Perfect" became a Christmas number-one hit in the UK. A version of the song with Beyoncé also reached number one in the US.

The ÷ Tour began in March 2017 and became the most-attended and highest-grossing tour of all time. In 2018, he won the Global Success Award at the Brit Awards.

2019–2022: Collaborations and = (Equals)

In 2019, Sheeran released No.6 Collaborations Project, an album full of duets with other famous artists. It featured stars like Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Travis Scott. The album debuted at number one in many countries.

Sheeran (right) on stage with Coldplay in London in October 2021

In December 2019, the Official Charts Company named him the UK's "artist of the decade" for the 2010s.

Sheeran's fifth album, = (Equals), was released in October 2021. The lead single, "Bad Habits", spent eleven weeks at number one in the UK. The album also hit number one in the UK and the US. In June 2022, he performed at the Platinum Jubilee concert for Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace.

2023–Present: New Music and Tours

Sheeran playing at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022

Sheeran released two albums in 2023. The first was - (Subtract), which came out in May. It was a very personal album with emotional songs like "Eyes Closed".

Later that year, in September, he released Autumn Variations. This was his first album released on his own record label, Gingerbread Man Records.

In February 2025, Sheeran announced his eighth studio album, Play. The first single, "Azizam", was released in April 2025.

Musical Style and Influences

Sheeran on stage with one of his heroes, Eric Clapton (pictured), in Tokyo in 2016.

Ed Sheeran's music is often described as pop, folk-pop, and soft rock. He also includes rap in some of his songs. He grew up listening to artists like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Elton John.

One of his biggest inspirations is guitarist Eric Clapton. Sheeran said, "He's the reason I started playing guitar." He was also influenced by the Beatles, Damien Rice, and Eminem. He has said that rapping along to Eminem's music helped him overcome a stutter he had as a child.

Sheeran is known for creating songs that many people can relate to. His music is often used for big life moments, like weddings and celebrations.

Other Work and Charity

Gingerbread Man Records

In 2015, Sheeran started his own record label, Gingerbread Man Records. He wanted to help new artists get their start in the music industry. He has signed several artists, including Jamie Lawson and Maisie Peters.

Charity Work

Sheeran often wears casual clothes and donates them to charity shops in his home county of Suffolk.

Sheeran is known for his generosity. He has supported many charities over the years. He often donates his clothes to charity shops in his home county of Suffolk. He is an ambassador for East Anglia's Children's Hospice.

In 2014, he joined the charity group Band Aid 30 to record a song to raise money to fight the Ebola virus in West Africa. He has also supported campaigns to help people in need, such as the No Cold Homes campaign.

In 2020, he started the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation to help young musicians. He has also donated money to his old school and to local hospitals.

Personal Life

In 2019, Sheeran married his childhood friend, Cherry Seaborn. The song "Perfect" was inspired by her. They have two daughters, born in 2020 and 2022. The family lives on a large estate in Suffolk, which the press has nicknamed "Sheeranville."

Sheeran is good friends with singer Taylor Swift. They have worked together on several songs.

He is a big fan of his local football team, Ipswich Town. His tour logo has even appeared on the team's shirts as a sponsor.

Awards and Recognition

Sheeran has won many awards for his music. These include:

Four Grammy Awards
Seven Brit Awards
Six Billboard Music Awards
Two Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Year

In 2017, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to music and charity. He received the award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Discography

+ (2011)
× (2014)
÷ (2017)
No.6 Collaborations Project (2019)
= (2021)
− (2023)
Autumn Variations (2023)
Play (2025)

Tours

Headlining act

+ Tour (2011–13)
× Tour (2014–15)
÷ Tour (2017–19)
+–=÷× Tour (2022–25)
− Tour (2023)

Opening act

Snow Patrol's Fallen Empires Tour (North American select dates) (2012)
Taylor Swift's The Red Tour (all North American dates) (2013)
The Rolling Stones' Zip Code Tour (Kansas City only)

Images for kids

Sheeran backstage in Los Angeles with Don McLean in August 2018
Sheeran's tattoos are often connected to his family, achievements, or memories.
Sheeran concert in Helsinki, August 2022.