Ed Sheeran writes song for The Shires’ new album

The Shires – Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire country duo Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – release their third album, Accidentally On Purpose, on Friday, April 20.

Recorded in Nashville, the biggest-selling UK country act had a little bit of help from Shape of You singer-songwriter Sheeran.

• Country star of The Shires at home in St Albans

The Perfect star from Suffolk wrote track Stay The Night for The Shires’ new album, the follow-up to top three smash My Universe and 2015 debut Brave.

Following a story in The Sun, The Shires tweeted: “Yes it’s true! @edsheeran wrote a song called ‘Stay The Night’ on our new album - can’t wait for you to hear it! x”

Explaining how the collaboration came about, Crissie posted on Instagram a picture of Ed Sheeran with the message: “This lovely chap has given us a song for our new album.

“It all came about after @teddysphotos [Ed Sheeran’s] boozy backstage party in Nashville. So can’t wait for you to hear it!”

As well as recording in Nashville, The Shires have shot a video in Los Angeles.

One half of the country duo, Ben Earle, moved to St Albans about six years ago, and has previously told the Herts Advertiser the city is a huge source of inspiration.

And while the internationally acclaimed country stars may have their heads in Nashville, their hearts are still firmly in the Home Counties.

For late last year, during a short break in recording their new album, Ben and Crissie dropped into Markyate to officially open Beechwood Park School’s new Music School extension.

They performed tracks Nashville Grey Skies and A Thousand Hallelujahs for parents, staff and pupils before cutting the ribbon.

At the time headmaster Edward Balfour said: “We cannot think of anyone more appropriate to open our new facilities.

“To be able to mark its opening in such an impressive way is remarkable and The Shires are truly inspirational.”

Global star Ed Sheeran, meanwhile, is also no stranger to Hertfordshire having recorded the video for his single Lego House during a concert at The Forum Hertfordshire in Hatfield.