Ed Sheeran makes chart history after becoming first ever artist to score the two top spots with new releases
The pop star has reached unprecedented highs after his genius double-drop of comeback singles
ED SHEERAN has reached unprecedented highs after his genius double-drop of comeback singles.
The pop star has scored a music first by becoming the only artist ever to land No1 and No2 with two fresh releases.
At the top, Shape of You shifted 227,000 combined sales making it the fastest-selling single since ADELE dropped her return ballad Hello in 2015.
Ed’s more traditional offering Castle On The Hill racked up 194,000.
Related Links
Together, they outsold the whole of the Top 15 combined and finally knocked CLEAN BANDIT off their perch following their nine-week reign with Rockabye.
Just in case that wasn’t enough, both songs have shattered the all-time one-week streaming record, previously held by DRAKE’s One Dance.
That got 8.9m streams, while Castle on the Hill totalled 11.07m and Shape Of You a massive 13.4m.
However, Ed’s truly astonishing success appears to have come at a price.
Once famed for his party animal ways, he revealed on Thursday how he’s been secretly battling severe anxiety during his year detox away from the scene.
He said: “It first came in 2015… and it’s been horrendous. Ever since then I can’t be in large groups of people without being really shaky.
“I will last at a house party for ten minutes and probably have to go. I guess it’s something to do with a panic attack. Even when people aren’t staring at me, I feel it.
“It’s being so recognisable – having bright ginger hair, colourful tattoos and a scar on your face, not really being able to hide it.
“It’s something I haven’t really addressed, but I’m very aware of and people are beginning to clock it.”
I love Ed’s honesty and hope he beats it.