Ed Sheeran makes a rare public appearance by promoting a signed guitar giveaway

He stepped out of the spotlight after welcoming his first child, a daughter named Lyra Anatartica, with wife Cherry Seaborn in August.

But Ed Sheeran made a rare appearance in public as he helped to promote a giveaway for guitar company Lowden via their YouTube channel on Saturday.

The singer, 29, was in great spirits as he marked his two-year partnership with the company by signing two guitars that would be part of the competition.

Detailing how much he loves the brand with its founder George Lowden, Ed said: ‘I’ve actually got a Lowden guitar in every single room of the house.

‘They’re scattered around, because it’s just nice to walk into a room and have a beautiful instrument there that you can pick up and play.

‘It was important for the 13-year-old in me being able to get the quality of a Lowden guitar but also it not be an unachievable feat. I personally think it’s better than anything else in its price bracket.’

Ed has used both guitars which are being given away, he’s played them during recording sessions and even used one in his music video for new track Afterglow.

It comes after Ed earned nearly £70 million in 2019 despite taking a break from recording music, thanks to the record-breaking success of his tour. 

The hitmaker was netting the equivalent of £200,000 a day, after taking to the road for his worldwide Divide tour throughout 2019. 

According to The Sun, documents filed by Ed’s company Nathan Cable Touring reveal a £70 million turnover and profits of £37 million, equalling around £200,000 a day to the year ending 31 March 2020.  

Companies House documents also reveal his firm Ed Sheeran Ltd, which handle the money made from the writing, recording and production of his music, also made a £29 million profit last year.

Ed’s Divide Tour, which ended in his hometown of Ipswich in August 2019, became the highest-grossing music tour ever, earning £607 million over 255 shows. 

MailOnline contacted representatives for Ed Sheeran for comment at the time. 

Ed, who is thought to be worth around £200 million, delighted fans in December when he released a new song titled Afterglow.

The singer insisted it wasn’t the predecessor to a new album and he’d be returning to his break from the spotlight. 

He’s since shared the uplifting song which is available on all major streaming services along with the music video, a one-take performance of the track.

On Instagram Ed wrote: ‘Hey guys. Afterglow is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you. It’s not the first single from the next album, it’s just a song I love, and hope you love too. 

‘Enjoy! Have a safe and happy festive break and New Year’s. Back to dad land for me now, ciao x (sic)’

It marked the first new material from Ed since the 2019 album, No.6 Collaborations Project, which featured the likes of Stormzy, Khalid, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Eminem, and comes a year after the singer-songwriter announced his hiatus from music.  

Ed announced his break from the spotlight last year, and welcomed his first child with wife Cherry Seaborn, daughter Lyra, in August.   

Ed and his longtime partner shared the arrival of their daughter on Instagram at the beginning of September after keeping Cherry’s pregnancy a secret right up until a few weeks before Lyra’s birth.    

Revealing that the hockey player had given birth the week before, the A Team star wrote: ‘Ello! A quick message from me as I have some personal news that I wanted to share with you… 

‘Last week, with the help of an amazing delivery team, Cherry gave birth to our beautiful and healthy daughter – Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran.

‘We are completely in love with her. Both mum and baby are doing amazing and we are on cloud nine over here. 

‘We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time. Lots of love and I’ll see you when it’s time to come back, Ed x.’