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Ed Sheeran named top-played artist in the world on the radio

His songs have been played over four million times on the airwaves in the last year

By Will Richards

Ed Sheeran performing live
Ed Sheeran (pic credit: MTV YouTube)

Ed Sheeran has been named as the top-played artist in the world on radio stations.

The singer-songwriter has had his songs played on the radio 4.3 million times over the past 12 months.

His biggest hits over the last year that contribute to the total include ‘Merry Christmas’, his festive duet with Elton John which hit Number One in the UK charts in December, and tracks from his most recent album ‘=’, which spawned another chart-topping hit in ‘Bad Habits’.

Data from Viberate, which analysed plays from over 24,000 radio stations worldwide, placed Dua Lipa second in the list with just 100,000 fewer plays than Sheeran, while The Weekend‘s three million plays has him third. Queen and Maroon 5 make up the top five.

Ed Sheeran poses for a press photo with his head resting on his arms, wearing a white t-shirt
Ed Sheeran recently released new album ‘=’. (Photo: Atlantic Records).

Elsewhere, Sheeran recently submitted planning permission to build a crypt at his East Anglian estate.

The singer-songwriter wishes to install a burial chamber under the floor of a boat-shaped chapel that he had plans approved for in 2019.

Sheeran initially had plans rejected for a chapel, which was originally meant to be in the style of a small early Suffolk Round Tower Church, but has since gained approval in 2019 to build a “private place of retreat for contemplation and prayer” [via Metro].

In 2018 an application for a Saxon-style chapel was rejected by the Suffolk Coastal District Council on the grounds that the building would “conflict with the prevailing character of the landscape”. Other reasons for the rejection was because the 24-seat chapel would cause light pollution and “create the impression of a second village church”.

With the new plans, which were submitted to East Suffolk Council last month and are awaiting a decision, a burial chamber measuring 5ft 10″ by 8ft 10″ would be build under the nave of the chapel.

In other news, the artist has also revealed his plans to tour in an electric campervan when he embarks on his UK and European run of dates later this year.

Sheeran will perform at the 2022 BRIT Awards in London next week, alongside DaveLittle SimzLiam GallagherEd SheeranHolly Humberstone and most recent addition Sam Fender. The ceremony takes place at The O2 on February 8, but won’t feature Doja Cat, who today (February 1) pulled out of her performance due to COVID-related issues.