Ed Sheeran and wife Cherry Seaborn welcome their first child together

Ed Sheeran has confirmed his wife Cherry has given birth to their first child.

He wrote on Instagram: “Ello! A quick message from me as I have some personal news that I wanted to share with you.

"Last week, with the help of an amazing delivery team, Cherry gave birth to our beautiful and healthy daughter – Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran.

“We are completely in love with her. Both mum and baby are doing amazing and we are on cloud nine over here. We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time. Lots of love and I’ll see you when it’s time to come back, Ed x.”

The caption was shared alongside a picture of a baby blanket and tiny pair of socks.

Rumours that Seaborn, 28, was pregnant began circulating last month.

A source told the Sun that the couple was "over the moon" about their impending new arrival.

“Lockdown was a perfect excuse not to be seen out and about too much, but things are getting closer and the excitement has been building so they have started telling friends and family," they said.

“They’re just making the last of the preparations at home, and the baby is expected later this summer."

Former schoolmates Sheeran and Seaborn got hitched in 2018.

On Christmas Eve last year, the Shape of You singer announced that he would be taking some off after the gruelling promotional tour for his latest album, Divide.

Additional reporting by Press Association