Suffolk singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has joined pop and rock’s glitterati by having a waxwork unveiled by Madame Tussauds in London.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ed's tattoo of a cat on his arm shown here on his waxwork Picture: IAN WEST/PA WIREEd's tattoo of a cat on his arm shown here on his waxwork Picture: IAN WEST/PA WIRE

It’s an honour that has been given to many stars over the years – from the Beatles to Madonna, Elvis and Elton to Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

The Suffolk superstar’s figure was unveiled at London’s first cat cafe.

The statue features the chart-topping singer, with his famous red hair and beard, dressed in a blue and black checked shirt, black T-shirt and jeans.

He is strumming on a guitar and his rolled-up sleeves mean his coloured tattoos, including one of a cat, are clearly visible.

The figure is on display at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in east London, a tribute to Sheeran’s own love of cats, before it moves to Madame Tussauds next week.

When Sheeran announced his engagement to Cherry Seaborn earlier this year, he said: “Got myself a fiance just before new year. We are very happy and in love, and our cats are chuffed as well xx”.

Claire Treacy, of Madame Tussauds London, said: “We thought it was important to add him.

“We’ve been getting requests for a long time, literally one a week, saying, ‘When are you going to add Ed?’

“So we thought the best time to do it would be when he’s on his mammoth tour and he’s coming to Wembley so this felt like the perfect week.”

She added: “It usually takes around four months to make each of our figures, that is the whole process from sculpting it in clay to then making the mould to creating the wax, then wardrobe and paint and hair insertion and then we have the added time to build something in the attraction.

“We have been building a giant guitar, a replica of Ed’s own that will stand alongside him, and guests can play it and then his tunes will start playing out in the space.”

She said: “Our team have used the research – hundreds of measurements, photos and reference shots – taken during that, and then it was important to make him look like 2018 Ed, so adding a few of the newer tattoos and also the scar on his cheek.”

The figure will be on display at Madame Tussauds London from June 19.