Ed Sheeran reveals shingles battle while preparing for tour comeback

Ed Sheeran has shared a personal health update, revealing he has been recovering from shingles over the past month while also reflecting on a period of “new beginnings” in his life.

The Grammy-winning artist posted on Instagram on April 28, writing that he had been dealing with the viral infection but is now on the mend.

“I’ve had shingles for the last month, wouldn’t recommend it, but on the mend now,” he said.

Shingles is a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. It can remain dormant in the body for years before resurfacing, often causing a painful rash.

Alongside his health update, Sheeran also shared that he recently shaved his head as a symbolic gesture of a fresh start.

“I wanted to shave it to signify a fresh start,” he wrote, adding that he is currently embracing “a lot of new beginnings” and is considering keeping the look.

The update comes as Sheeran prepares to return to his ongoing Loop Tour after a two-month break.

The tour, which began in January, is set to resume in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, marking the start of its Latin American leg.

Estadio Quisqueya will host his next performance as he reconnects with fans following the pause.

“Restarting the loop tour in a week and a bit, can’t wait to get back cracking on that,” he wrote.

Sheeran’s latest album Play, released in September 2025, continues to support the global tour run, which is scheduled to continue through December.

The singer’s health update follows earlier public comments about his wife, Cherry Seaborn, who underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a cancerous tumor.

Sheeran confirmed she has since recovered, noting the procedure took place after the birth of their second child.