That’s bloody right. The first episode of the fantasy juggernaut’s new season has just aired, and it showcased the singer in full-on cameo mode.
Sheeran took to the screen as a Lannister soldier, having a rest after a long day of representing Westeros’ worst house. As the bloke is wont to do, he busted out a bit of a tune, only to be overheard by Arya Stark.
If you really want to, you can check the video out HERE.
Oh hey @edsheeran #GoTS7 pic.twitter.com/5gdpa4GyUw
— Rachel Mandelblatt (@rfmand414) July 17, 2017
The fella himself seems pretty okay with it all, too:
Some more dedicated fans of the series have noted the lyrics are drawn from a song of particular significance in the A Song Of Ice And Fire universe. In the books, Hands Of Gold was originally penned to represent Tyrion’s hidden relationship Shae, and he even whispered the words to his secret paramour when he, uh, killed her.
Whether that points to a broader significance of Sheeran’s cameo is yet to be determined, but this initial showing – which Sheeran actually explicitly revealed in a radio interview weeks ago – has already divided fans. Some reckon it was the greatest thing since Joffrey carked it at his wedding:
I legit gasped when I saw you tonight
— RyansAverageLife (@RyanAbe) July 17, 2017
New #gameofthones is so lit #EdSheeran
— Brent Ulrich (@brentulrich) July 17, 2017
ed sheeran in game of thrones is everything i never knew i needed
— Meghan Rienks (@MeghanRienks) July 17, 2017
Why was #EdSheeran in my @GameOfThrones ? Nothing against him, but it was super distracting. It was like @TheEllenShow superimposing herself
— Candace Smith (@CandaceLSmith) July 17, 2017
hey guys you know what would be really unnecessary and break the focus for everyone in the audience? #edsheeran
— Yad Ayada (@BengalsOrDie) July 17, 2017
#EdSheeran Nobody needs celebrities drawing attention from the story.Let Ed Sheeran be the last of this madness.Don’t screw your brand.
— Nick Black (@Jcanguy) July 17, 2017
Welcome back #gameofthones but damn #EdSheeran was a bust. Love the escapism of #GameofThrones7 but ed took me out of it. No celebs needed!
— Jimmy Abraham Ambala (@JimmyFromMinny) July 17, 2017
.@edsheeran Alright, Frodo. Put the damn song on Spotify and let the begrudging twerk begin.
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) July 17, 2017
Source: Game Of Thrones / HBO / Vanity Fair.
Photo: Entertainment Weekly / Helen Sloan / HBO.