National

Ed Sheeran tests positive for the coronavirus, which may mean he won't perform on SNL

By Nell Clark

Published October 25, 2021 at 9:04 AM PDT

This story was published more than 3 years ago.

Ed Sheeran pictured at the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin in Berlin, Germany in February 2018 in Berlin, Germany. The singer announced he tested positive for COVID-19 just days ahead of the release of his fourth album.

Ed Sheeran announced on Instagram that he has "tested positive for Covid" and is self-isolating.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)

"Hey guys. Quick note to tell you that I've sadly tested positive for Covid, so I'm now self-isolating and following government guidelines," the singer wrote in a post Sunday.

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"It means that I'm now unable to plough ahead with any in person commitments for now, so I'll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house. Apologies to anyone I've let down. Be safe everyone x."

This comes at a busy time for Sheeran, whose upcoming fourth solo studio album releases in less than a week. He's been doing appearances and interviews in advance of the album out Oct. 29, titled "=" and says that although COVID will force him to cancel in-person performances, he'll do virtual appearances as much as possible.

Sheeran's news came a day after Saturday Night Live announced plans to feature him as the show's musical guest Nov. 6 alongside host Kieran Culkin.

No word from SNL or parent network NBC on whether Sheeran will be replaced, and if so, who might go on instead.

During the earlier days of the coronavirus pandemic, musical guests on SNL performed via video while the show paused production from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and instead taped from staff members' homes. Sheeran has performed on SNL before, including in 2017.

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This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.