By Lucy Caulkett-
Ed Sheeran shined as he thrilled crowds at an impromptu gig in Ipswich as crowds gathered to watch the star perform his hit song The A Team outside the town hall.
The 31 year old who was born in Yorkshire and has been writing songs since the age of 7, and recording music at the age of 13, sang like an angel, sending goose bumps down the spine of his listeners, particularly female fans who felt lucky to have been there by chance as the talented singer made his unannounced appearance.
Sheeran, who is one of the best selling artist world wide, having sold over 150 records worldwide , blew the crows away with his wondrous voice and cross over appeal.
Speaking to the crowd, he said: “I’ve played so many shows here and have such love for this place – I’m so happy to be back here.”
The singer attracted large crowds in a short time, a she enthused passers by who had no idea he was going to turn up in Ipswich.
At his latest open-air gig, on the Cornhill, he played hits including Sing, Don’t and Overpass Graffiti from his latest album.
A young 10 year old boy by the name of Arthur,was on his way to a guitar lesson when he heard Sheeran was playing and decided to abandon the lesson in favour of seeing the singer perform.
At the end of the gig, Sheeran offered him his guitar, signing it ‘Arthur keep playing!’.
Arthur, who was thrilled to have been a recipient of a guitar from the star said: “It’s such a nice guitar as well, the amp is a really special gift because it’s so precious to me because Ed Sheeran is someone that I kind of want to be like.
“He plays guitar and sings, and I love singing and love playing guitar, I’ve got a real passion for playing guitar.”
Sheeran advised the young lad to play every day, and Arthur said it had inspired him to “keep getting better and play even more”.
“I’m going to improve so much from this point on, and it’s going to be incredible to look back on this moment and know how lucky I was to get a guitar from Ed Sheeran,” he said.
Helen, his mother, said: “What a brilliant experience for Ipswich, what a gift from our beloved Ed to Ipswich.”The singer announced on Instagram he was about to do a free gig near Ipswich Town Hall after buying a guitar at local shop Music World.
Holly Williamson 43, from Ipswich, was with her children when she spotted him playing.
She said: “It was such a lovely atmosphere, my children have never got to see Ed Sheeran before and it made their day.
“He’s such an amazing local celebrity who is so down to earth and a man of the people.”
The surprise appearance quickly attracted media attention and circulated quickly online and on social media, with many people in Ipswich who had missed it wishing they had been there.
In December 2019, the official Charts Company named him artist of the decade, with the most combined success in the UK album and singles charts in the 2010s. Globally, Spotify named him the second most streamed artist of the decade.[Beginning in March 2017, his Tour became the highest grossing of all time in August 2019. An alumnus of the National Youth Theatre in London, Sheeran’s acting roles include appearing in the 2019 film Yesterday