© Getty Images

Childhood -

Edward Christopher Sheeran was born on February 17, 1991.

© Getty Images

Halifax, UK -

He was born in a town called Halifax, which is situated in West Yorkshire, England.

© Shutterstock

Ipswich, UK -

As a child, he moved from Yorkshire to a town called Framlingham in Suffolk, which is near the more well-known town of Ipswich, where Sheeran played his first gigs.

© Shutterstock

Exhibition -

Since August 2019, an exhibition has been open in Ipswich, chronicling Sheeran's journey from Suffolk schoolboy to international superstar.

© Getty Images

Platinum -

There are many things on display at this exhibition, such as Sheeran's platinum records.

© Getty Images

Paintings -

There are also a large number of artworks on display, depicting the young man who turned into a cultural icon.

© Getty Images

London, UK -

In 2008, Sheeran moved to London, to try and advance his career.

© Shutterstock

Recognition -

Gradually, throughout 2009 and 2010, people began to notice him. He built up a fan base online, and even received praise from Elton John!

© Getty Images

Jamie Foxx -

Sheeran slept on Jamie Foxx's couch in Los Angeles for several weeks in 2010, after performing at Foxx's club, the Foxxhole.

© Getty Images

Breakthrough -

Sheeran's breakthrough came in 2011. He released his first single, which was the best-selling debut single of the year and performed very well internationally.

© Getty Images

One Direction -

Ed Sheeran has many celebrity friends, such as Harry Styles. They go way back, as Sheeran actually co-wrote One Direction's 2011 single 'Moments.'

© Getty Images

Pharrell Williams -

Sheeran is also friends with Pharrell Williams, who has produced some songs for him and appears on his track 'Sing.'

© Getty Images

Amy Wadge -

Here Sheeran is pictured with British singer Amy Wadge, who collaborated with him before he was famous.

© Getty Images

Taylor Swift -

Sheeran has been good friends with Taylor Swift for some years, and he was her opening act for her Red Tour in 2013.  

© Getty Images

Stormzy -

British grime music star Stormzy is good friends with Sheeran. They have interviewed one another and performed together.

© Getty Images

LL Cool J -

Another, perhaps surprising, friend of Sheeran's is LL Cool J. The two are pictured onstage together at the Teen Choice Awards.

© Getty Images

Beyoncé -

Sheeran is now so famous and successful that he performs duets with fellow global superstars frequently, like Beyoncé.

© Getty Images

Shy -

Sheeran avoids the limelight in his personal life, but he'll still stop to take selfies with his fans.

© Getty Images

Fans -

Ed Sheeran has an enormous number of fans worldwide. His biggest fan-base, however, are teenagers.

© Getty Images

Talk shows -

The pop star is naturally very high in demand, and he has been invited to appear on a huge number of TV and radio shows over the years.

© Getty Images

Waxwork -

Ed Sheeran is now so recognizable that he has several waxworks devoted to him. He is pictured with his own wax statue in New York.

© Getty Images

Legal issues -

Ed Sheeran has dealt with at least a couple of lawsuits, in which he was accused, among other singers, of plagiarism.

© Getty Images

Charity -

Sheeran has frequently performed at charitable gigs, which have in turn raised a lot of money for worthy causes.

© Getty Images

Politics -

Ed Sheeran spoke out against Brexit, the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.

© Getty Images

Justin Bieber -

Sheeran collaborated with Justin Bieber on the song 'I Don't Care,' which was released in May 2019, and achieved huge success.

© Getty Images

Awards -

To date, Sheeran has won over 100 awards for his music, and been nominated for over 300.

© Getty Images

Marriage and children -

In 2019, Sheeran married Cherry Seaborn, who was a friend and classmate from school. They are now the parents of two daughters.

© Getty Images

Privacy -

It is evident from how infrequently Sheeran has been pictured with his wife, who is firmly out of the spotlight, how much he values his family's privacy.

© Getty Images

Continued success -

Sheeran has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, and is one of the world's best-selling musical artists. And yet, it still feels like the best is yet to come!

See also: Hits you didn't know were written by Ed Sheeran

© Getty Images