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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Casey Cooper-Fiske

Ed Sheeran beats Taylor Swift to be named UK’s most-played artist in 2025

Ed Sheeran Taylor Swift Myles Smith United Kingdom PPL
Ed Sheeran has been named the UK’s most-played artist in 2025 (Hannah McKay/PA) - (PA Archive)

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has beaten pop superstar Taylor Swift to be named the UK’s most-played artist in 2025, according to music licensing agency PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited).

The 35-year-old topped the agency’s chart of the most-played artists across radio, TV and public places for the eighth time in 11 years, with Swift in second, followed by British pop star Dua Lipa in third.

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