Fan travels from Australia for 'Sheeran pilgrimage' before surprise gig

Thousands of fans packed into the Ipswich Waterfront to watch Ed Sheeran's surprise gig but one fan travelled across the world for her 'Sheeran pilgrimage'. Anika Moeen flew from Australia's Melbourne and commenced on a self-proclaimed 'Ed Sheeran Pilgrimage' which included visiting Framlingham Castle. Her week was capped off after Sheeran performed a surprise gig where she passed a handwritten note to the singer's entourage in the hopes he will read it. She said: "It's phenomenal, I love Ed so much. I've already booked tickets to see him three times when he comes to Australia. "I'm so glad I was here." Anika initially flew from Melbourne to London last Friday ahead of attending Arsenal's Premier League trophy parade. However, after the parade, she took to Suffolk to complete her 'pilgrimage' by visiting the Ed Sheeran sights in the country. Having arrived in Ipswich, she visited Portman Road - purchasing a special edition Sheeran kit - before heading to Framlingham Castle famous as the inspiration behind Sheeran's song 'Castle on the Hill'. With a flight back to Melbourne booked for Sunday, Anika was left delighted after the singer-songwriter announced on Thursday he would be performing in the town. Anika managed to pass a handwritten note to a member from Orange Amps - the company behind the surprise gig - in the hopes that Sheeran would read it. We spoke to the Orange Amps employee after the gig who confirmed they would do their best to get it to Sheeran. Elsewhere, TikTok sensation and Rupert Grint lookalike Lewis Parker watched on and was met by a number of fans. Ruth and Ella, two first-year biomedical science students at the University of Suffolk, had been waiting for Sheeran's arrival since 7:30am. They said: "Its not every day that Ed Sheeran turns up outside your university. People all over the world would do anything to be five foot away from him. "All you have to do is look around and you can see just how much he means to Suffolk." Local musician Lianne Kaye also opened for Sheeran after flying back from Spain the morning of the gig.