The Big Read: Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran at the iHeartRadio concert that kicked off his whirlwind visit to Auckland last week. Photo / Dean Purcell

Bringing you our favourite features from 2014. If you missed them the first time around, now’s the perfect time to catch up. And remember to come back tomorrow for the next instalment.

When British popstar Ed Sheeran came to town, TimeOut's Lydia Jenkin tagged along as he went about his daily work.

It's 6.50am, the air has that heavy, cold feeling. It's only just light, and yet there are already at least 20 teens gathered outside the Radio Network on Auckland's Cook St. Why? Because it's Ed Sheeran Day in Auckland. They are here for a glimpse of their ginger crush.

Yes, the British pop star who has much of the pop world under his lad-next-door spell, is back Downunder for the third time in less than two years.

Next month, he'll release his new album X (pronounced "multiply") - his first since + ("plus"), his 2011 release, which has sold over four million copies - so he's on the promo trail, which includes a free iHeartRadio concert for 2500 fans at the Aotea Centre, and a full schedule of radio, TV, and press.

So that's why he's up at this bleary-eyed hour, despite not having got to bed until 1.30am after last night's show.

Several hours of breakfast radio banter await but Sheeran is surprisingly upbeat and switched on - and there's no caffeine in sight. Tea (a special box of Yorkshire Tea, in fact) is his tipple.

It must be good stuff though, because not 20 minutes into his first hour-long co-hosting stint with Polly and Grant on The Hits, he helps a listener win $1000 by answering 10 entertainment questions in 60 seconds. Talk about quick, mate. You can tell he keeps up with his celebrity gossip.

Ed Sheeran with his co-stars on the Shortland Street set.

He's also forthcoming with anecdotes about playing a military base in Afghanistan and wanting to come to New Zealand for a proper holiday (he was a big Lord of the Rings fan even before he got last year's Hobbit theme song gig from Peter Jackson.

Then it's time to hop out for photos with contest winners and quickly march down the corridor to repeat it all at ZM - although there he gets to spray tan one of the hosts in the face for a gag (he does help her wipe it off after), and makes up some radio jingles.

The 23-year-old never once seems to stumble or say anything inappropriate. He knows how to give away enough of himself to keep interviews interesting without becoming total tabloid fodder. The boy's a pro.

He's also a pro when it comes to sharing the love with his fans - even if he's occasionally a little bemused or confused by their fervour. ...

*CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE*

- nzherald.co.nz