Asda worker constantly mobbed wherever he goes for looking like Ed Sheeran
'It freaked me out when I saw how similar we looked'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A supermarket worker says he gets mobbed by adoring fans wherever he goes because of his uncanny resemblance to pop star Ed Sheeran.
Wesley Byrne 25, from Shaw, Greater Manchester, reveals that he is regularly stopped for selfies and autographs and once had to show his passport to a drunken fan after they demanded he start singing.
The red-headed shelf stacker, who works at his local branch of Asda, also claims that he is often approached by crazed admirers in the street, much to the frustration of 28-year-old girlfriend Leah Howard-Smith.
“I've developed a bit of a sense of when it's going to happen - it happens all the time when I'm out and about,” Byrne said.
“Being stopped in the street and asked for pictures and autographs has started to happen more and more since he's got bigger, especially if I'm out in Manchester.
“A random guy on a night a few years back didn't believe I wasn't him. He spent a good 15 minutes convinced I was him and wasn't having any of it when I said I wasn't.
“He even wanted me to start singing. I said to him 'I don't know who you think I am but I can't do that. My mates just stood there laughing.
“I Googled him when I got home and it freaked me out a little bit when I saw how similar we looked.”
Since then, Byrne says he struggles to go anywhere without being mistaken for the Grammy-nominated star, even when he’s at work.
Despite being dressed in an Asda uniform, he says people stop him even more often shouting, “Oi Sheeran, sing us a song.”
Byrne admits that he doesn’t want to disappoint people by revealing he’s not the real deal and often makes up an excuse for not giving out autographs.
“Comic Con in Manchester last year was crazy,” he said.
“I normally spend a lot of money on a costume but that year I just wore regular clothes and I was mobbed by people thinking I was him. I kept tally - I was stopped by 52 people. It was just fun.”
Unfortunately, Wesley's looks are where the similarity to Sheeran end as the shop worker reveals he isn't much of a singer.
“My singing voice is terrible but I'm teaching myself how to play the guitar. I've not made much progress but I've managed to pretty much learn 'Shape Of You',” he explained.
While Wesley still works at his local Asda store, he says he hasn't completely ruled out the possibility of being an Ed Sheeran impersonator.
“If I could make a career out of being an Ed Sheeran look-a-like I definitely would,” he added.
“I'm just trying to keep my hair. There's a history of men in our family going bald so I just need to cling onto my ginger locks.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments