Chart-topping singer Ed Sheeran has announced a string of UK and European tour dates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ibBPhiaG0

The Shape Of You star will return to London for two nights at The O2 on Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2.

These will be Sheeran’s first shows in the capital since his record-breaking three-night stint at Wembley Stadium in July 2015.

Set to be one of the most highly-anticipated tours of 2017, Sheeran has also announced dates in Europe, Mexico, and Central and South America.

His 2017 tour kicks off in Italy on March 17 – a fortnight after the release of third studio album ÷ (divide) – and runs through to June.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Ed Sheeran at The O2Ed Sheeran at The O2 (Image: Archant)

General sale will commence on Thursday, February 2 at 10am in the UK and Ireland, and Europe.

The touring news comes straight off the back of a phenomenal few weeks for the 25-year-old singer-songwriter.

Sheeran, who famously filmed his Lego House video with Harry Potter star Rupert Grint at The Forum Hertfordshire in Hatfield, kicked off 2017 by delivering the biggest musical comeback in recent years.

The troubadour’s dual singles Shape Of You and Castle On The Hill have taken the globe by storm, hitting the number one and two spots across the charts worldwide, while seeing the Suffolk native break a series of records along the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dK2tDK9grQ

Ed made Official Singles Chart history as the first-ever artist to land the two spots respectively with two brand new tracks.

On course to cement his third week at No 1 and No 2 respectively in the UK charts tomorrow, Ed recently conquered America after landing his first-ever chart-topper as a performer on the Billboard Hot 100 with Shape Of You – with Castle On The Hill sitting closely behind at six.

Ed also became the first artist to debut in Billboard’s Top 10 with two songs simultaneously.

He has also broken an assortment of Spotify records this month, making history with their biggest-ever ‘one week’ and ‘one day’ streams for a track globally with Shape Of You.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU

The records were previously held by Drake’s One Dance and Adele’s Hello, respectively.

Moreover, Ed topped the streaming service’s biggest-ever opening 24-hour streams with both singles, surpassing previous title holders, One Direction.

Reaching 132 combined #1 iTunes positions around the world and accomplishing Apple Music’s biggest-ever ‘day’ and ‘one week’ streams, the two singles have accumulated over 370 million worldwide streams to date.

Launched on Monday, Ed’s official video for Castle On The Hill, which was shot in his native Framlingham, Suffolk, has already reached over 10 million hits.

https://twitter.com/edsheeran/status/824557253747503105

In addition to Ed’s epic rise with his recorded music, he has also broken records in the live sphere over recent years.

In July 2015 Ed took to the stage of Wembley Stadium, solo, becoming the first-ever artist to headline the prestigious venue without a band.

Performing with just his trademark loop pedal and guitar, 240,000 people saw him on stage over three consecutive sold-out nights.,

Securing a very special collaboration with Sir Elton John on the opening night, Ed followed with the release of his live DVD ‘Jumpers for Goalposts’ at the end of 2015, documenting the lead-up and live performances from the Wembley weekend.

2017 TOUR DATES

April

Wednesday, April 12: Dublin, 3 Arena

Thursday, April 13: Dublin, 3 Arena

Sunday, April 16: Glasgow, The SSE Hydro

Monday, April 17: Glasgow, The SSE Hydro

Wednesday, April 19: Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena

Thursday, April 20: Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena

Saturday, April 22: Manchester, Arena

Sunday, April 23: Manchester, Arena

Tuesday, April 25: Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena

Wednesday, April 26 : Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena

Friday, April 28: Birmingham, Barclaycard Arena

Saturday, April 29: Birmingham, Barclaycard Arena

May

Monday, May 1: London, The O2

Tuesday, May 2: London, The O2.

• For tickets, visit www.edsheeran.com

• Ed Sheeran’s third studio album ÷ (divide) will be released on March 3 through Asylum/Atlantic Records.