SHEER DELIGHT
ED’S EARLY ‘CHRISTMAS PRESENT’ FOR FANS IS A CONTENDER FOR FESTIVE NO.1
ED SHEERAN has treated his fans to a surprise ‘Christmas present’, by releasing a new single as he takes a break from music to look after his daughter.
The singer said he wrote Afterglow last year, before welcoming daughter Lyra Antarctica in August.
He is now in the running for the Christmas No.1 spot, taking on social media star LadBaby, plus Jess Glynne, Mariah Carey and Liam Gallagher.
Sharing the new tune on Instagram yesterday, he wrote: ‘ Afterglow is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you. It’s not the first single from the next album, it’s just a song I love, and hope you love too. Enjoy!
‘Have a safe and happy festive break and New Year’s. Back to dad land for me now, ciao x.’
The 29-year-old, reported to be worth £120million, teased the tune 24 hours earlier, writing: ‘11am GMT tomorrow. A Christmas present.’
But Sheeran faces stiff competition if he is to secure his second Christmas No.1 – he last topped the festive chart in 2017 with Perfect.
LadBaby’s Don’t Stop Me Eatin’ is the favourite to win the race, according to The Official Charts Company.
Proceeds from the track by YouTuber Mark Hoyle and wife Roxanne, who have topped the charts for the last two Christmases – with 2018’s We Built This City... On Sausage Rolls and 2019’s I Love Sausage Rolls – will once again go to foodbank charity The Trussell Trust.
Jess Glynne’s This Christmas, Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, Wham!’s Last Christmas and Liam Gallagher’s All You’re Dreaming Of are also in the running. BBC Radio 1 will reveal the No.1 on Christmas Day.
Sheeran announced he was taking a break from the charts in September to spend time with wife Cherry, 28, and their baby. ‘We are completely in love with her. I’ll see you when it’s time to come back,’ he wrote.