Ed Sheeran reportedly welled up twice at an exclusive charity gig last night, as he confirmed his much anticipated new album is on it's way.
The hitmaker cried as he spoke about his close friend Jamal Edwards who died in February this year aged just 31, and played eight tracks from his new record for just 600 fans at a London concert, it has been reported.
Ed was playing at London's Union Chapel, in support of singer Will Young's charity Wellstock, which aims to raise awareness about mental health, when he confirmed he'll release a new album next year.
The new, personal songs delve into loss and grief, with Ed telling concert-goers he didn't think he would ever perform them live, The Sun reports.
The Photograph singer apologised to fans for crying as he spoke about Jamal, who helped Ed get his start in the industry and died from a heart attack, but explained it was part of his grieving process.
"It was an incredibly special night. The atmosphere inside the venue was very emotional and there were lots of tears," a source told the publication.
"To see someone as famous as Ed let his guard down in such an intimate gig really was a once in a lifetime moment.
"The new tracks sounded amazing. It's obvious he has poured his heart and soul into them."
As well as his new songs, Ed played his chart-toppers during the two hour set, and spoke about his rise to fame.
He reportedly remembered aspiring to play in the Chapel while living in Finsbury Park as a young musician.
Ed's fifth album, =, was released in 2021.
Some 500,000 people applied for tickets to the evening, which launched the For One Night Only gigs, a year-long series of events which support Wellstock.
The event reportedly opened with Will speaking about mental health, and losing his twin Rupert to suicide two years ago.
Tickets can only be obtained through a charity prize draw.
Following Jamal's death, Ed penned a heartfelt tribute to his friend, who died as a result of cardiac arrhythmia caused by taking cocaine and drinking alcohol.
Ed described Jamal as "my brother" and said "his light shone so bright. He only used it to illuminate others and never asked for anything in return."
He went on: "A stars light shines for millions of years after they go, and his will continue to light up every dark moment, we are all witnessing his power.
I would not be here without him, professionally and personally. There will never be anything close to what he is, but I’m so grateful to have existed within his orbit."
The entrepreneur founded music platform SBTV, which helped launch the careers of huge star such as Ed, Rita Ora, Stormzy, Jessie J and Dave. He was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2014 at the age of just 24 and was an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.
His mum is Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards.
