Ed Sheeran gives a thumbs up while taking a pic with a fan at a football match at Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich, England on Tuesday (September 3).
The 28-year-old musician joined his dad, John, and a few other pals to watch the Ipswich Town club win 2-1 against Tottenham’s Under 21s in the EFL Trophy.
Ed Sheeran deserves a break after performing on his Divide tour for almost two years – and that’s exactly what he’s going to do.
During his final show in Ipswich, England over the weekend, the 28-year-old musician revealed that he’s retiring from the stage for about 18 months.
“As you may or not know, I’ve been on the Divide tour for over two years now and this is the last day of the whole thing. There is something very bittersweet about it. I love that you guys are here and we are ending it in Ipswich. This is my last gig for probably 18 months,” he told the crowd. “It’s been a wild one.”
“It’s been an emotional day for a lot of people backstage. It kind of feels like, in a weird way, that you’re breaking up with a girlfriend that you’ve been with for years,” he adds. “Thank you to everyone who has given me a chance.”
The “I Don’t Care” singer paid tribute to his furry friend on Instagram on Thursday (August 1).
“💔,” he simply captioned the photo of Graham cuddled up with his guitar.
Liberty Shaw, the girlfriend of Ed’s manager, Stuart Camp, revealed on Instagram that “our lovely little buddy Baby Ba Boo’s†passed away on Wednesday night after getting hit by a car.
“We are absolutely heartbroken,†she wrote (via People). “He was such a dude. Funny and clever and best mates with a massive German shepherd. We are going to miss you so much. Thanks for all the fun.â€
Ed reportedly rescued Graham in 2014, leaving him in Liberty and Stuart‘s care while he was away.
Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry Seaborn are also pet parents to cats Dorito and Calippo. See their Instagram account @thewibbles.
Ed Sheeran‘s Divide Tour is officially the highest-grossing tour ever!
The “Shape of You” crooner’s tour has grossed $737.9 million following his show on Friday (August 2) in Odense, Denmark, Billboard reports.
This tops U2’s record by $1.48 million. The rock band has held the top spot since 2011 with their 360° Tour.
Ed‘s Divide Tour kicked off in March 2017 in Turin, Italy, featuring 246 shows around the world. The tour is projected to finish up with a gross of $770-775 million.
“Today the Divide tour broke the all time tour record set by U2,” Ed shared on Instagram. “Its now the most attended and highest grossing tour of all time. Thanks so much for each and every one of you who have come to a show. 12 shows left, will never forget it x.”
The 28-year-old musician’s No. 6 Collaborations Project didn’t move from number one, beating out Beyonce‘s The Lion King: The Gift, which made it’s debut this week.
Ed‘s album raked in another 78,000 units in the week ending July 25th while Beyonce‘s The Lion King inspired album, which features Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z and more, debuted in the number two slot with 54,000 equivalent album units earned.
The Lion King: The Gift is Beyonce‘s ninth solo album to hit top ten on the Billboard chart, and she’s the second act to have two top ten albums this year. She follows Future with Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD and Save Me.
Rounding out the top this week are Billie Eilish with When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, which fell to number three, and remaining at number four and five are Lil Nas X’s 7 and Chris Brown’s Indigo, respectively.
No. 6 Collaborations Project moved 173,000 equivalent album units, making it the largest week of the year for a pop album by a male artist. It also marks the biggest week in total album sales by a solo male artist since Shawn Mendes‘ self titled album in June 2018.
Ed knocked J. Cole‘s Revenge of the Dreamers III album from number one to number three, with Billie Eilish‘s When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? staying put at number two.
Rounding out the top five are Lil Nas X’s 7 at number four and Chris Brown at five with Indigo.
