Ed Sheeran crowned Britain’s airplay king for 8th year as he outswifts Taylor

Ed Sheeran was the UK’s most-played artist of 2025 – for a staggering eighth time in just over a decade.

The 35-year-old megastar has outpaced global chart titan Taylor Swift and homegrown hitmaker Dua Lipa to reclaim the No.1 position on PPL’s (Phonographic Performance Limited) annual rundown of the artists heard most across radio, TV and public venues. It’s a feat no other British act has come close to matching.

According to PPL, Ed’s music is now so deeply woven into the country’s daily soundtrack that it’s played an average of 574 times every single day – the equivalent of 24 spins an hour.

Reacting to the news, Ed said he was genuinely moved by the continued support.

He said: “I am so grateful to be named most-played artist across TV, radio and venues across the UK for an incredible eighth time.

“A huge thanks to everyone who has played my music over the last year, and over the last 15 years. I really appreciate the continuing support.”

Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Coldplay, Sir Elton John, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga all secured spots in the Top 10.

Meanwhile, rising star Myles Smith scored the year’s biggest individual track with his breakout smash Nice To Meet You.

He said: “Having the most-played song in the UK last year … honestly it still doesn’t feel real.”

His follow-up Stargazing also landed inside the top 10, alongside Lola Young’s Messy, Alex Warren’s Ordinary, Sam Fender’s People Watching, and two Sheeran tracks – Sapphire and Azizam — proving the chart-topper’s catalogue is still in heavy rotation.

The milestone arrives days after Ed shocked fans by announcing his departure from Asylum/Warner Music after 15 years.

The Azizam singer reflected on meeting A+R executive Ed Howard at a tiny Notting Hill gig when he was just 18 – a chance encounter that led to sofa-surfing, early demos and eventually a record deal that changed his life.

Ed said the split wasn’t fuelled by drama, but by his personal evolution as a father of two.

He explained: “My life is hugely different now… I’ve been feeling in my gut for a long time that a lot of things in my professional life need to change.”

Ed thanked the label teams worldwide and left the door open for future collaborations.