'Ed Sheeran performed in my pub - it was amazing'

A landlord said seeing Ed Sheeran perform a surprise gig in his pub was "surreal" and a moment he will "never forget".

The Shape of You singer, who grew up in Framlingham, Suffolk, took the mic at the Thomas Wolsey, in Ipswich, earlier this month.

Before his appearance, the watering hole was rebranded and renamed The Old Phone after the 34-year-old's latest single.

Despite his superstar status, Damon Jeffery, who owns the pub, said Sheeran was one of the loveliest people he had ever met and his concert had helped boost business.

"He was very relaxed and thanked us so much for allowing him to use the pub," added Mr Jeffery.

"We had a really nice chat and he put me at ease because he is such a nice guy – one of the most down to earth, pleasant guys. He made everyone feel welcome."

Sheeran staged the pop-up gig in support of the release of his new single and forthcoming new album, Play, and ahead of announcing three huge shows at Ipswich Town's Portman Road stadium.

Personal images of Sheeran were put in frames around the venue, as well as various pieces of memorabilia.

He performed for more than an hour to a crowd of lucky fans and even some famous faces, including Town manager Kieran Mckenna.

"I am on the bar and Ed Sheeran is a matter of three metres away from me," Mr Jeffery told the BBC.

"Everyone was having an amazing time, the best time of their life – they were being absolutely blown away and some fans were in tears.

"There was a huge excitement and a huge adrenaline, it was just absolutely amazing, outstanding, and surreal."

Joe Gunter, who is one of the pub's bar managers, helped provide Sheeran and his guests with pizza and drinks before he took to the stage.

She, too, said he was a "lovely guy", but her first interaction with him did not quite go exactly as she envisaged.

"He was going in the wrong direction to use the bathroom, so I directed him to where the bathroom was and told him it was free… so that will be my story for life now," she said.

"He was just a guy and really nice - and also taller than I expected."

Sheeran is no stranger to performing pop-up shows, making several impromptu appearances locally and around the world.

In October 2022, a film crew followed the musician as he bought a guitar and then performed on the steps of the town hall, on the Cornhill.

In February, the pop star was stopped from busking in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.

Mr Jeffery said his appearances had a positive effect locally.

"We've had a real uplift in trade, which is amazing, with all generations just coming to experience a little bit of Ed Sheeran," said Mr Jeffery.

"We've seen a great influx of people, including people from Manchester and Liverpool, and we've had messages from people in Australia and New Zealand.

"Every town is struggling, especially the hospitality industry, so for someone as huge as Ed Sheeran to campaign for his local county is absolutely amazing.

"He could have gone anywhere in the world but he chose the Thomas Wolsey in Ipswich - and we will never forget it."

The Old Phone will return to being named the Thomas Wolsey from Monday.