Ed Sheeran has revealed his wife, Cherry Seaborn, is now doing well after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor, offering a hopeful update on a health scare that unfolded during a particularly challenging period in his life. The singer shared the news during a recent podcast appearance, detailing the fear and uncertainty the couple faced as they navigated Seaborn’s diagnosis and treatment.
The news of Seaborn’s cancer diagnosis came in February 2022, whereas she was six months pregnant with their daughter, Jupiter. Doctors initially advised that surgery wouldn’t be possible until after the baby’s birth, adding to the couple’s anxiety. This hard time coincided with the tragic deaths of Sheeran’s close friends, Jamal Edwards and Shane Warne, and the start of a high-profile copyright case over his hit song, “Shape of You.” Sheeran described it as “probably the worst week” of his life, a confluence of personal and professional crises.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Seaborn first discovered the tumor in her arm and was immediately told by doctors the news was serious. She quickly contacted Sheeran, asking him to cancel his plans while they awaited further test results. Initially, treatment options were limited due to the pregnancy, but after a sequencing test, doctors determined the tumor was less severe than initially feared and could be safely removed following Jupiter’s birth.
“She’s fine, she had the operation,” Sheeran explained. “She was pregnant at the time so that’s why it was difficult. She had the operation to remove the tumour after she’d given birth to our second child. Thankfully, touch wood, totally fine.”
Sharing Their Story
Seaborn publicly discussed her experience in Sheeran’s 2023 documentary, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All, available on Disney+. She described the overwhelming relief she felt when surgeons confirmed they could postpone treatment until after the baby was born. “It was the most incredible news. I nearly threw up when the surgeon told us we could wait to the end of the pregnancy to get the tumour out,” she said in the documentary. “We didn’t have to worry about delivering the baby early.”
Sheeran and Seaborn announced the arrival of Jupiter in May 2022. The couple are too parents to their four-year-old daughter, Lyra.
Follow-Up and Recovery
Months after the operation, Seaborn underwent a follow-up scan, a moment she described as “super triggering” given the initial fear surrounding her diagnosis. “Yesterday I had follow up scan in my arm to see if the tumour had come back. We were silent in the car as we were worried it would be poor,” she shared in the documentary. Fortunately, the scan revealed positive results. “The surgeon looked at the scans and it all looks good. The lymph nodes have all calmed down. That was amazing. It was massive for us.”
Sheeran’s openness about his wife’s health journey comes after he previously spoke about his own struggles with depression and grief following the deaths of Edwards and Warne. He credited Seaborn with encouraging him to seek help during that difficult time, emphasizing the importance of mental health support. The New Zealand Herald reports Sheeran’s candid discussion on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast alongside Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky and Kristin Batalucco.
As Cherry Seaborn continues her recovery, the couple appears to be focused on their family and future. The positive outcome of her treatment offers a hopeful message for others facing similar health challenges.
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