A student who met Ed Sheeran as the star launched a music education foundation, said the meeting was a real surprise. Sheeran took students and staff aback when he toured three Coventry locations, where he also performed on Thursday, as well as playing in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Sheeran started writing songs from a young age, after encouragement from a teacher, and says he wants to help plug the gap left by reduced arts funding. To support the launch of the foundation, the Grammy-winner is visiting schools and youth groups in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh and Belfast.