Ed Sheeran Details Wife Cherry's Cancer Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Ed Sheeran has provided a heartfelt update on his wife Cherry Seaborn's health after she was diagnosed with cancer while six months pregnant with their second child. The Grammy-winning singer described the moment he learned of her diagnosis as "one of the worst days" of his life, revealing the emotional turmoil his family endured during that period.
A Devastating Diagnosis Amidst Pregnancy
Cherry Seaborn, mother to the couple's two children, had a cancerous tumour discovered in her arm during her second pregnancy. Due to her condition, medical treatment had to be delayed until after she gave birth, adding significant stress to an already challenging situation. Ed Sheeran candidly shared that the day Cherry called him with the news was profoundly distressing, compounded by the fact that immediate intervention was not possible.
The singer explained, "She was pregnant at the time, so that's why it was difficult. She had the operation to remove the tumour after she'd given birth to our second child." Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Cherry has since recovered, with Ed noting, "She's fine... thankfully, touch wood, totally fine." He added emphatically, "It was f***ing scary," underscoring the fear they both experienced.
A Week of Personal Tragedy and Legal Stress
Ed Sheeran revealed that Cherry's diagnosis coincided with what he called the "worst week" of his life, marked by multiple personal losses and a high-profile court case. During that same period, he mourned the deaths of two close friends: music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards and cricket legend Shane Warne. Additionally, he faced the first day of a plagiarism lawsuit related to his hit song "Shape of You," which he described as a minor concern compared to the life-altering events unfolding around him.
Speaking on the US podcast Friends Keep Secrets, Ed recounted, "The day Cherry rung me up and said that she had cancer, that was probably one of the worst days. That was probably the worst week because Jamal died that week as well, and then we went straight into the court case. And then Shane died – the first day of court." He reflected that the legal battle, which he had built up in his mind for years, suddenly seemed insignificant in the face of such profound personal challenges.
Turning Trauma into Creative Expression
In response to the emotional weight of Cherry's diagnosis, Ed Sheeran channeled his feelings into music, writing seven songs in just four hours. This creative outburst later formed part of his album "Subtract," as documented in his 2023 documentary, "The Sum of It All." Cherry highlighted how writing served as an emotional outlet for Ed, saying, "Some people write a diary and get their emotions out through the pen, and for Eds, if something really intense happens, he'll go and write a song."
The plagiarism case, brought by musicians Sami Chokri and Ross O'Donoghue, who alleged Ed copied their 2015 song "Oh Why," was ultimately dismissed. Judge Mr Justice Zacaroli ruled that Ed Sheeran "neither deliberately nor subconsciously" plagiarised the work, noting significant differences between the tracks. Ed criticized such claims as damaging to the songwriting industry, stating they often lead to costly settlements without merit.
Family Milestones and Moving Forward
Cherry Seaborn gave birth to the couple's second child, Jupiter, in May 2022, following the arrival of their first daughter, Lyra Antarctica, in August 2020. With Cherry now healthy and the family thriving, Ed Sheeran's update brings a sense of closure to a difficult chapter. His openness about their journey sheds light on the intersection of health crises, personal loss, and professional pressures, offering a raw glimpse into the challenges faced by public figures behind the scenes.
