Ed Sheeran Lookalike Reveals What Life Is Like As A Celebrity Doppelganger

With an army of fans and millions in the bank, Ed Sheeran has got the world at his feet.

But have you ever wondered what life is like for someone who looks just like him? Of course you have and to celebrate 'real' Ed's birthday we spoke to his doppelganger, Ty Jones, to answer that very question.

For the past seven years the bingo hall worker has constantly been mistaken for the pop star, signing autographs, breaking hearts, but sadly, never singing

"Usually people start with 'I bet you hear this a lot' and I just end the sentence for them...Ed Sheeran," says the 24-year-old.

"I have people coming over crying and shaking, as if I am actually Ed, they say 'I know you're trying to keep a low profile', and sometimes they're that worked up they can't even get a selfie in focus because their hands are shaking.

"If they're that hyped up you feel guilty letting them down by saying I'm not actually Ed."

The Mancunian began getting noticed when he was still at high school, just as Ed was breaking into the music industry on Youtube channel, SBTV.

And though he sometimes has to tell fans that he's not the real deal, Ty says it has taken him to some interesting places.

He said: "The weirdest moment I've had was at a circus. I felt like a bit of a misfit, they had me standing in a tent - there was Homer Simpson sat on a couch, characters from Monsters Inc and they just stuck me in there too. It was pretty good, I got paid £800."

But even after telling fans that he's actually just a regular Joe, some people can't take no for an answer.

Ty said: "There was one time I was at a rave and this couple had brought a baby, and they asked me to sign the baby's head, a newborn, and they kept pestering and pestering me 'please sign the baby's head', and I told them I wasn't him but they gave me the pen and said even if I wasn't him could I please sign it."

He added: "I just had to try very gently to sign the baby's head, but I ended up writing my own name because I told them I wasn't him."

When he was just 17, Ty did actually come face to face with the A-Team singer and said it was 'like looking in a mirror'.

"It was mad," says Ty, "He was really shocked, literally rolling on the floor laughing. And it was weird because we are the same height, so when I was looking at him it was really strange, like looking into a mirror.

"He was so down to earth and friendly."

But despite the endless amounts of fun he's had, helping him to come out of his shell and giving him renewed confidence, as well as a bunch of tales to tell, Ty says he doesn't want to be known as that guy who looks like Ed Sheeran for the rest of his life and has plans on becoming a successful YouTuber.

He's even working on a spoof of Eminem's Stan, called Edinem: Fan.

He said: "I would like to make my own success, because a lot of the time when I do get a gig it feels like I'm just making money off the back of someone else, and I've always wanted to have my own legacy."

I really hope that baby's OK.

Featured Image Credit: Ty Jones

Topics: World News, UK News, Music, Interesting, UK Entertainment

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom