Ed Sheeran is embracing a literal and figurative “fresh start,” revealing to fans that a recent health battle and a dramatic change in appearance are ushering in a new chapter for the global superstar.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, April 28, the 35-year-old Grammy winner opened up about a grueling month-long bout with shingles. “I’ve had shingles for the last month, wouldn’t recommend it, but on the mend now,” Sheeran shared, offering a candid glimpse into a recovery process he characterized as “painful.”
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According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is a viral infection triggered by the varicella-zoster virus—the same culprit behind chickenpox. While the virus remains dormant in the body for decades, it can reactivate later in life as a blistering, often agonizing rash. While the organization notes the condition is rarely life-threatening, it typically strikes adults over the age of 50, making Sheeran’s diagnosis at 35 a relatively rare occurrence for his age bracket.
The physical toll of the virus wasn’t the only revelation in the singer’s post. Sheeran debuted a striking new look, having traded his signature ginger locks for a completely shaved head. “I wanted to shave it to signify a fresh start,” he explained to his followers. “A lot of new beginnings in my life [at the moment]. I love it, thinking of keeping it this way.”
This personal reset comes during a massive year for the “Thinking Out Loud” singer. Following the September 2025 release of his latest album, Play, Sheeran has been traversing the globe for his Loop Tour. After a two-month hiatus from the stage, he is slated to resume the trek in just over a week at the Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic—marking the high-energy launch of the tour’s Latin American leg.
“Restarting the loop tour in a week and a bit, can’t wait to get back cracking on that, see you lovely people there,” he wrote, signaling his readiness to return to the spotlight.
The update on his own health follows a series of personal trials for the Sheeran family. Just last month, the singer appeared on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast to provide a heartening update on his wife, Cherry Seaborn, following her battle with a cancerous tumor.
Sheeran recounted the harrowing period when the couple discovered the diagnosis while Seaborn was pregnant. “She’s fine, she had the operation,” he confirmed, noting that the procedure took place following the birth of their second daughter. The couple, who share five-year-old Lyra and three-year-old Jupiter, are now looking toward a healthier future. “And thankfully—touch wood—totally fine,” he added.