Ed Sheeran reveals month-long battle with shingles in health update

• Ed Sheeran revealed his shingles diagnosis and new shaved head look on 28 April 2026.
• The singer's eighth studio album, Play, featured the lead single "Azizam."
• The Latin American leg of the Loop Tour is scheduled to run through May 2026.
  

Ed Sheeran has revealed that he is currently recovering from a month-long battle with shingles. The 35-year-old Grammy winner took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a health update alongside news of a "fresh start" in his personal and professional life.

Sheeran described shingles—a painful viral condition typically associated with older adults—as something he "wouldn't recommend," but assured fans that he is officially on the mend.

In a striking visual change to accompany this new chapter, the "Shape of You" singer also debuted a shaved head. Sheeran explained that the buzz cut was a symbolic move to signify "new beginnings," noting that he is leaning into fitness changes, including running and Pilates.

During his recovery period, the artist shared that he spent his time reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead and beginning a personal collection of vinyl records.

The health update comes just as Sheeran prepares to return to the stage. After a two-month hiatus following shows in Australia and New Zealand, he is set to resume his global Loop Tour in early May.

The next phase of the tour focuses on Latin America, starting with a highly anticipated show in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Sheeran expressed immense enthusiasm for the upcoming leg, which includes stops in Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile.

The tour is supporting his most recent album, Play, which was released in September 2025 and marked a return to his "big pop" sound.