Superstar singer Ed Sheeran has been named as one of the ambassadors backing a town’s bid to become City of Culture 2029.
Ipswich, in Suffolk, joins eight other locations on the long list for the award, which comes with a £10m prize pot – large towns are allowed to enter the competition.
Other well-known ambassadors from Suffolk include musician Brian Eno, actor Griff Rhys Jones and theatre star Kerry Ellis.
Sheeran said: “This town has shaped who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and it has an incredible community spirit. That’s why Suffolk and Ipswich will always be where I call home.”
Sheeran, who grew up and still lives in Suffolk, started his career playing gigs in the county and has played a number of surprise gigs in Ipswich, including an acoustic set on the waterfront in June.
“Arts and culture should be accessible to everyone, and I know this title would help create even more opportunities for people in the local area. Let’s do all we can to make it happen,” Sheeran said.