Summary

  • Ed Sheeran performed a six-song acoustic set near the University of Suffolk building in Ipswich

  • The singer posted on Instagram to say he'd be at Ipswich Waterfront on Friday morning

  • Setlist: Thinking Out Loud, The A Team (with Lianne Kaye), Shivers, Photograph, Perfect, Shape of You

  • Ed signed off with a message to fans: "I hope you have a fabulous summer and I'm looking forward to the Premier League next season"

  • Local singer Lianne Kaye took to the impromptu stage first

  • BBC Radio Suffolk broadcast live from the Waterfront - listen on BBC Sounds

Live Reporting

Reporting by Shivani Chaudhari, edited by Charlie Jones

  2. He went back to his busking roots...

    Ed played his first gig at the age of 11 and it is no secret that the singer spent his teens busking in Ireland and around the UK before making waves in the mainstream.

    His set today was free for his fans and done in true busking style.

    He recalled his first gig during an appearance on The One Show:

    Ed Sheeran remembers his first gig aged 11

  3. Missed it? Listen back on BBC Sounds

    BBC Radio Suffolk brought their breakfast show live from the Waterfront.

    Like the rest of Suffolk, no-one knew what would be on offer from Sheeran after his social media post, so the team chanced their arm... and it didn't disappoint!

    You can listen back to Wayne Bavin at Breakfast on BBC Sounds here:

    Sheeran storms Ipswich waterfront: Listen back

    Wayne Bavin, wearing a purple branded BBC hoodie, on the phoneZoie O'Brien/ BBC

  4. Ink-ed!

    Iris from Sudbury is a huge Sheeran fan and musician, and arrived an hour and a half early.

    He dreams of being like Ed and performing together one day. He even has a Divide tattoo on his wrist.

    Iris is wearing a hat, headphones, and a blue tie-dye t shirt, with Ed Sheeran's Divide album onZoie O'Brien/ BBC

    Iris is a super fan and had a letter which he intended to give to Sheeran's management team

    Divide symbol, amongst other tattoo pieces on Iris' wristZoie O'Brien/ BBC

    Sheeran's albums have previously been named after mathematical symbols, such as Plus and Subtract

  5. 'What a gent'

    Lianne Kaye said this was her first time performing with the global superstar, but she hopes it won't be her last.

    "[It is the] first time and what a gent, he came in - just put me at ease.

    "We had a little jam, quick run through and that was it - it just happened.

    "It's really cool because he's really down to earth, so it just felt quite natural and just fun."

    She said the crowd was massive "but it was a really nice friendly atmosphere, it was buzzy and really warm and welcoming" and it still hasn't sunk in.

    A woman with blonde hair and black clothes smiling at the cameraShaun Whitmore/BBC

  6. Wild morning on Ipswich Waterfront

    The picturesque Ipswich Waterfront is a popular spot for a morning walk or jog... Nice enough anyway, but even better when you have one of the world's biggest artists pop up for a mini-gig.

    Fans watched from the pavements, their office windows, their boats and the boardwalk.

    Fans stood on the boardwalk, with their hands raisedZoie O'Brien/ BBC

    Fans stood on the waterfront, waving along to Sheeran's song

  7. Music teacher who supported Ed says students will be in shock

    Music teacher and singer Lianne Kaye, who supported Ed in his surprise set, says her students will never believe what she has just done when she tells them about it.

    The 30-year-old also works as a vocal coach.

    She told us that she'd only just flown back from Malaga and had two hours sleep because her flight was delayed but she "wasn't going to miss it for the world".

    "An opportunity like this is massive for someone like me," she says.

    A singer wearing all black playing the guitar

  8. Ed's 74-year-old fan

    Tim Leggett, 74, heard about the surprise set on the radio and decided to head down.

    Tim told us that he had previously seen him perform on the Cornhill and loved it.

    He put on his Ed-inspired Ipswich Town FC football and was chuffed with his view for the set

    A man in a mobility scooter smiling at the camera

  9. A worthwhile journey for Ayaz

    Ayaz jumped on the 6am train from London to see one of his big heroes.

    A trip made worth it, after he had his guitar signed by Sheeran.

    Ayaz, wearing a pink hoodie and holding his signed guitarAngelle Joseph/ BBC

    Ayaz was wearing his pink Ed Sheeran 'Play' merchandise from his previous tour

  10. More photos from this morning

    Here are some more pictures from Ed's performance earlier today.

    Ed singing with his guitar
    Close up of EdShaun Whitmore/BBC
    Ed playing his guitarShaun Whitmore/BBC
    Ed playing his guitar to a large crowdShaun Whitmore/BBC
    Ed holding his hand out to the stand up mic and singing to the crowdShaun Whitmore

  11. Dream duet for music teacher

    The 'perfect' partner or Lianne Kaye, who was joined by Sheeran as the pair performed an early Ed classic: The A-Team.

    The artist and music teacher, from nearby Holbrook, had her track featured as the BBC Introducing in Suffolk and Norfolk 'Track of the Week' just last week.

    Sheeran stands with his guitar, singing in to the mic. Lianne Kaye stands behind doing the same.Angelle Joseph/ BBC

    Lianne Kaye was warming up the crowd, before being joined by Sheeran

  12. Felix bags himself an amp

    Christmas has come early for nine year-old Felix... He has been given an orange amp by Sheeran to go with his guitar!

    He left the house heading for the dentist, and will return with an amp, a big smile and a memory to last a lifetime.

    Felix is holding his guitar and stood behind the amp. He is wearing a pink Ipswich Town shirt, which Sheeran sponsorsZoie O'Brien/ BBC

    Amping it up: Felix was given an amp by Sheeran

  13. Dream come true for Felix

    Felix is nine years-old and brought his guitar along to watch Ed.

    He was on the way to the dentist with his mum. Last Christmas, he put an Ed Sheeran guitar on his wish list.

    He said it was a dream come true to see the singer so close.

    Felix wearing his guitar over the shoulderZoie O'Brien/ BBC

    Superfan Felix brought his guitar

  14. Watch: Ed sings Shape of You

    Ed sang Shape of You to close his acoustic set.

    Ed performing

  15. Final message from Ed

    Ending the gig, the Ipswich Town fan told the crowd: "I hope you have a fabulous summer and I’m looking forward to the Premier League next season."

    During his surprise visit, he sang Thinking Out Loud then The A Team with Lianne Kaye, Shivers, Photograph, Perfect and then closed with Shape of You.

    Ed playing music

  16. Watch: Crowds gathered to see superstar

    Ths video gives you an idea of how many people turned up to watch Ed, after he posted about the surprise gig on Instagram last night.

    Crowds watch Ed

  17. Amps now in full swing

    Luckily for the crowd, the amps were turned up quickly before he started playing his final songs of the set - Photograph, Perfect and Shape of You.

    Ed also gave a massive shout out to the kids missing school to be at his gig.

    Ed singing to a large crowd

  18. Acoustic set continues with The A Team and Shivers

    Ed, wearing his classic t-shirt and jeans combo, also sang The A Team with Lianne Kaye before Shivers.

    Some people in the crowd are struggling to hear the set and started chanting 'turn it up'.

    Ed wearing t-shirt and jeans

  19. Watch: Ed arrives for surprise set

    Watch the moment Ed arrived at the Ipswich waterfront for his surprise set.

    Ed Sheeran arrives on Ipswich Waterfront ahead of performance

  20. Ed 'happy to be back in Suffolk'

    Ed told hundreds of people in the crowd that he was "so happy to be back in Suffolk".

    Large crowd