Ed Sheeran renames pub and puts on 'surprise' gig

Ed Sheeran surprised fans with a gig at a pub in his home county. The Thomas Wolsey in Ipswich has been re-branded as The Old Phone. This name comes from one of Sheeran's latest songs. The pub will keep this name for two weeks before returning to its original name.

Fans are thrilled to see the global star perform nearby. Rachel Clements, 28, from Stowmarket, is a "big fan" of Sheeran. She expressed excitement about the small venue in her hometown.

Clements hopes to hear his latest track and new material from his Play album. One song she wants to hear is called Old Phone. "We had one of his songs as our wedding song last year," she added.

Clements was among many fans who responded to an Ed Sheeran WhatsApp message for tickets. Others waited outside, hoping for available space inside the pub.

This event is part of Sheeran's pop-up pub concept. He previously opened versions of The Old Phone in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and at Coachella festival in California.

Sheeran conducted a soundcheck and planned to perform for at least an hour on Sunday lunchtime. Alyssa Ali, 20, from Florida, was visiting Ipswich when she learned about the gig.

Ali has been studying in London for a month and decided to travel around the UK this weekend. She grew up listening to Ed and wanted to visit his hometown.

"I love Ed and have been a fan for a decade," said Ali. "I ran over here as soon as I found out about the gig."

Michael Marron, 38, from Ipswich also hoped to see Sheeran perform. He felt delighted that Sheeran returned to entertain people in Suffolk.

"It's great that he's come back," Marron said. He recalled how Sheeran gifted a guitar to a primary school child during a previous visit.

Hopeful fans queued on St Peter's Street for tickets to see Sheeran play. Music bloggers, influencers, and selected fans were invited or chosen randomly for this gig.

Last week, Sheeran announced three gigs at Ipswich Town's Portman Road in July. He is also a minority stakeholder in the club that recently got relegated from the Premier League.

The Thomas Wolsey pub is named after Cardinal Wolsey, who was Henry VIII's right-hand man. A statue of him stands nearby; the pub used to be called Bar IV and before that, The Blackadder.