Promotion for Ed Sheeran's upcoming '=' album - and his '+ – = ÷ x' tour - has hit a hurdle, with the musician revealing that he has tested positive for COVID-19. However, he has said that he will continue to work from home as much as he can.
"Hey guys", he says in a post on Instagram. "Quick note to tell you that I've sadly tested positive for COVID, so I'm now self-isolating and following government guidelines. It means that I'm ... unable to plough ahead with any in person commitments for now, so I'll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house. Apologies to anyone I've let down. Be safe everyone".
Sheeran has been in heavy promotion mode of late for the new album, which is out this Friday. It's alright though, he's got the most important thing done - the biggest engagement on any active musician's schedule - recording a 'CBeebies Bedtime Story'.
He joins the likes of Dave Grohl, Dolly Parton, Robbie Williams and Elton John in reading a bedtime story for the BBC's pre-schooler TV channel. Set to air next month, he has already been filmed reading 'I Talk Like A River' by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith. A story about a boy with a stutter, Sheeran says it is personally relevant to him.
"Growing up, I had a stutter like the boy in 'I Talk Like A River', so I'm delighted to be reading this story for 'CBeebies Bedtime Stories', especially as I'm a new dad myself", he says. "I hope the story helps inspire and support other children who stutter".
Sheeran's episode of 'CBeebies Bedtime Stories' will air at 6.50pm on 5 Nov. And there's nothing no coronavirus can do to scupper that.