Ed Sheeran 'immensely proud' to be a Suffolk native

Singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran expressed his love and pride for Suffolk during the second night of his homecoming shows.

Sheeran performed three nights at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich to 30,000 fans each night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Fans had travelled from far and wide, with some camping out each day from the early hours of the morning to get to the front of the standing section.

On Saturday, Sheeran told the crowd he was "immensely proud" to be from the county.

"I became a musician and I felt I had to leave Suffolk to make it," he said.

"I left and I travelled the world. I moved to Los Angeles because I thought that was what people did, and I got there and I was so incredibly lost.

"I felt a sense of, what am I doing?

"When I moved back to Suffolk, everything just fell into place, and this is not only my home, it's my safety. I feel a real sense of community here with the football club and everything that goes on in the town."

He continued: "Ipswich has had big ups and big downs through the years, but I feel immensely proud to be from here and call myself a Suffolk native.

"I feel immensely proud to come back and show this town to so many people from around the world."

He told the crowd to "not underestimate yourself as a county" and "how much I love you".

While the gig meant a lot to Sheeran, it also meant a lot to fans.

Reverend Tom Mumford, vicar of Ipswich Minster, saw two out of the three performances last week.

"That was absolutely amazing," he said on Sunday after the final show.

"Isn't he brilliant and what an advocate for the town... Ed's an old friend. He's done us proud."

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Assistant Producer of Britten Pear Arts, Lindsey Woods, said the performance was "absolutely amazing".

"It felt really nostalgic, especially when he played songs from the early years," she said.

"I was remembering the first time I saw him play when I was 16 at Ipswich Music in the Park, and all through the years, you have pockets of memories of growing up yourself in Suffolk.

"It felt really wholesome to be sharing the space tonight. "

Charlie Law, who was busking in Alderman Park on Friday ahead of the first night, said the show was a "phenomenal experience".

Dancer Rosie May said she felt it was "the best gig ever".

"I thought it was good because I've never been anywhere so big, the music was so loud, and there were loads of people," she added.

"The fireworks were great too."

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