Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 13:21 29 Apr 2026 GMT
Ed Sheeran has revealed he has been quietly battling a secret illness.
On Tuesday (April 28), the Grammy winner took to Instagram to announce to his followers that he had spent the last month dealing with shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful rash and nerve damage.
"I've had shingles for the last month, wouldn't recommend it, but on the mend now," Sheeran wrote.
The 35-year-old 'Shape of You' singer also debuted a shaved head in the post, saying the dramatic change marked a new chapter.
"Yes, I’ve shaved my hair. I wanted to shave it to signify a fresh start. A lot of new beginnings in my life atm. I Iove it, thinking of keeping it this way," he penned.
According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.
The virus "stays in your body for the rest of your life. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles," the outlet said.
While the infection is not usually life-threatening, it can be extremely painful and is more common in people over 50.
Despite the setback, Sheeran said he is recovering and preparing to get back on the road.
"Restarting the loop tour in a week and a bit, can't wait to get back cracking on that, see you lovely people there," he wrote.
His next show is set for Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, marking the start of the Latin America leg of the Loop Tour, with dates across Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Mexico, and Chile, per PEOPLE.
Sheeran’s Instagram post was also filled with snapshots from his recent downtime, including photos of him playing guitar, listening to records, and a screenshot showing he had finally caught up with the final season of Stranger Things.
He also recommended Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, calling the novel "brilliant," and shared that he has developed a new interest in collecting vinyl during the touring break.
The update comes months after Sheeran released his latest album, Play, and weeks after he shared another personal health update involving his wife, Cherry Seaborn.
Speaking on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast last month, he revealed she is recovering well after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.
"She's fine, she had the operation," he said. "She was pregnant at the time. That's why it was difficult. She had the operation to remove the tumor after the birth of our second child. And thankfully - touch wood - totally fine."
The couple shares two daughters, Lyra, five, and Jupiter, three.
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