Ed Sheeran celebrates being named top-selling musician in the world

Ed Sheeran has another reason to celebrate as he scored pole position on a list naming the top-selling musicians in the world over the past year.

The Shape Of You singer has been named the best-selling global recording artist for 2017 by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

The 27-year-old is the only British musician to feature in the top ten compiled by the international music trade body. His third studio album, Divide, was released in March last year and has been classified as multi-platinum in 32 markets, the IFPI reported. Sheeran has become the first artist on the list to claim a double whammy by having the best-selling album and bestselling single of the year. 0 Ed Sheeran : best-selling album and single of the year

He is the fifth recipient of the award, which has previously been won by Drake (2016), Adele (2015), Taylor Swift (2014) and One Direction in 2013. The IFPI says the accolade reflects “an artist’s worldwide success across digital and physical music formats, from streams to vinyl”.

Warner Bros’ chief executive of recorded music, Max Lousada, also the chairman and chief executive of Warner Music UK, said: “Being crowned the biggest star in the world, with the biggest song and biggest album, is the result of years of ambition, creativity, and hard work on a global scale. Ed is truly an incredible songwriter, vocalist and performer, whose ability to tell stories and make people feel is what stands him out from the crowd. He’s always had a totally authentic connection with his fans, something he places over everything else. Congrats also to Stuart Camp, the Atlantic teams in the UK and US, and everyone at Warner who contributed to Ed’s amazing success story.”

Frances Moore, IFPI’S chief executive, said: “The success Ed has achieved is astonishing and testament to his ability to write and perform songs that connect with a truly global fanbase.”