Suffolk's Ed Sheeran named UK's 'artist of the decade'

Suffolk singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has been named the UK's artist of the decade by the Official Charts Company.

During the last 10 years, Sheeran has had 12 number one singles and albums and has also spent an incredible 79 weeks at number one - more than any other artist.

If that wasn't enough, his song 'Shape of You', which spent 14 weeks at number one, was the biggest hit of the decade - selling more than 4.5m copies.

Two of his other singles, 'Thinking Out Loud' and 'Perfect', also made the top five.

Ed Sheeran receives his award from the Official Charts Company. Credit: Official Charts Company

After receiving the award, Sheeran took to Instagram to thank fans for all of their support.

"Thank you to everyone who’s supported me over the past 10 years, especially my amazing fans. Here’s to the next 10!"

The prestigious award is the culmination of an amazing journey for Sheeran who used to busk on the streets of Norfolk and Suffolk before he made it big.

He made his chart debut in 2011 when his single 'The A Team' reached number three and his first number one came three years later when 'Sing' made it to the top spot.

Since then, he's enjoyed almost unparalleled success, and played a series of homecoming shows in Ipswich over the summer to bring to an end his record-breaking 260-gig 'Divide' tour.

"Ed truly has dominated this decade and is a worthy recipient of this amazing new award," Martin Talbot, Chief Executive of the Official Charts Company said.

"At the start of the decade, he was a little known (albeit highly-rated) young 18-year-old lad from Suffolk - but his catalogue of achievements since then are genuinely remarkable. Today, he is firmly established among the highest level of global music superstars."

Ed Sheeran has become one of the biggest stars in world music. Credit: PA

The UK's Official Top 100 Biggest Songs of the Decade 2010 - 2019

  • 1) Shape Of You - Ed Sheeran

  • 2) Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson Ft Bruno Mars

  • 3) Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

  • 4) Despacito (Remix) - Luis Fonsi/Daddy Yankee/Bieber

  • 5) Perfect - Ed Sheeran

  • 6) One Dance - Drake Ft Wizkid & Kyla

  • 7) Happy - Pharrell Williams

  • 8) All Of Me - John Legend

  • 9) Sorry - Justin Bieber

  • 10) Rather Be - Clean Bandit Ft Jess Glynne