Ed Sheeran has COVID-19, which may mean he won’t perform on SNL as planned

Enlarge this image

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.

Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images

Goats and Soda
Coronavirus FAQ: I’m vaccinated. Is it OK to sing into a karaoke mic again?

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.

The news of Sheeran’s COVID diagnosis came a day after Saturday Night Liveannounced plans to feature him as the show’s musical guest Nov. 6 alongside host Kieran Culkin.

Television
Beck Bennett Is Leaving ‘SNL,’ But 3 New Cast Members Are Joining The Lineup

No word from SNL or parent network NBC yet 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 in 30 Rockefeller Plaza and instead taped from staff members’ homes. Sheeran has performed on SNL before, including in 2017.

This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.