The secret lives of Ed Sheeran superfans

Ed Sheeran fans, or ‘Sheerios’, are a committed bunch. When he performed a Live Lounge session in December, fans braved freezing temperatures to meet the star while he was visiting Radio 1.

We spoke to some of the committed fans about their love for Ed, how far their fandom stretches (to the other side of the world, in some cases!). They showed off their Ed-related tattoos and spoke about their one-on-one experiences with the man himself. Here’s what we found out:

They travel the world for Ed

Ed Sheeran has performed a lot of shows across the UK during his career, but for some fans, seeing him on home turf isn’t quite enough. They’ve travelled the world for Ed Sheeran gigs.

“I went all the way to Canada to see him play a few years ago and I’m going to New Zealand in March to see him,” says Kelly.

“Each show he does is different. Whether it’s in the UK or abroad, every gig is different and you will always see something new, no matter where you are.

“Although I really loved watching him in Glasgow because the crowds there are insane and he always looks like he’s having a lot of fun on stage.”

Another fan, Sue, told us she had seen Ed perform in Dubai and followed an Australian tour, seeing him perform in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland while she was travelling the world.

Watch Ed perform Perfect in the Radio 1 Live Lounge

They all say Ed’s music has changed their lives

But while some fans have travelled for Ed, one fan moved to a new continent because of her love for his music.

“He’s the reason I came to London from the US in the first place,” Brooke, a 20 year old student tells Radio 1.

“I came here for Jumpers For Goalposts, his movie premiere, got tickets and came.

“I thought I’d just stay here and so I’m studying in London now.”

And for Kelly, Ed revived a love of music she thought she’d lost.

“He made me feel passionate again about music,” she says.

“Until I started listening to his music in 2011 there was just nobody who made me want to go out there and listen to music or go to gigs.”

They’ve got tattoos of Ed’s lyrics

As well as the memories and journeys, Ed has left a more permanent mark on his fans – they’ve got his lyrics tattooed on their bodies.

“I met Ed in February when he played the Live Lounge,” Brooke says.

“I had him write the lyrics for Castle On The Hill on my arm and then got them tattooed.

“The whole ‘I’m on my way’ theme reminds me I’m in London, at university and on my way to doing things.”

And Kelly has a tattoo of handwritten lyrics from Photograph.

“Whenever he plays Photograph, it reminds me of the time he wrote that for me,” she says.

“The lyrics in particular, ‘we made these memories for ourselves’. I think life is about making really amazing memories and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Ed performed Shape Of You for Radio 1 in February 2017

They’ve made great friends because of Ed

Being a superfan means a lot of waiting around and while it might sometimes be cold, it’s never a lonely experience.

“Everyone I know I’ve met through Ed,” Mary tells Radio 1.

“I met Brooke, who’s my best friend, because of Ed. We met on Twitter then met in person at an Ed gig.”

“The most special thing about Ed is that I’ve made loads and loads of friends out of coming to see him,” says Sue.

“All these people I met because of him, it’s how I made friends in London,” says Brooke.

Here’s Ed’s first ever Castle On The Hill performance

They have all met Ed loads of times

Their patience has almost always paid off and Ed’s fans have great memories of meeting him over the years and across the world.

“I’ve had some really lovely times with him and have been able to tell him what he means to me and my experiences with his music,” says Kelly.

“Just to be able to have that is really special.”

Not everyone has played it so cool when they’ve met their idol, but that’s cool too.

“The first time I met him was outside Radio 1 and he asked me how I was,” says Mary.

“But I think I was in shock that I didn’t have anything to say and I just stared at him in disbelief.”

But they all agree that Ed’s commitment to meeting fans, even when they get a little starstruck, is what makes him such a special artist.

“It’s very important to give time to your fans, you can make someone’s entire day by just stopping for a few minutes to take a photo,” says Sue.

“A lot of artists lose that.”