Ed Sheeran will kick off the return of Desert Island Discs
Ed Sheeran will be Kirsty Young's latest high-profile guest on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs as the series returns to the airwaves next month.
The chart-conquering musician will be following in the footsteps of David Beckham, who gave a candid and moving interview as the star of the show's 75th anniversary episode in January.
The 26-year-old singer-songwriter will share his favourite tracks and discuss his past and dreams for the future on the long-running British radio program on May 7.
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Established: Ed Sheeran will follow in David Beckham's footsteps as Kirsty Young's latest high-profile guest on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs as the series returns to the airwaves next month
Ed will be asked to choose eight records to take with him to the imaginary desert island, and will be invited to explain his reason for each one.
In being selected to appear on the renowned show, which launched back in 1942, Ed will join the likes of Prime Ministers - John Major was the 50th anniversary guest in 1992 - Nobel Prize winners and royalty.
The flame-haired singer will appear just after he enjoyed an unprecedented 30-week run at the top of the British charts.
Spilling all: Having remained tight-lipped about their relationship over the years, the sportsman gushes about his marriage on the 75th anniversary episode, which airs on Sunday
Like former footballer David Beckham, who has acted as a UNICEF ambassador for more than a decade, in addition to being a success story, Ed has proved his ability to act as a humanitarian and celebrity ambassador.
Last month the star used his own money to provide a safe home for Liberian street children.
Ed met a young group of boys during scenes filmed for Comic Relief and, after seeing a man try to abuse a boy called JD as the film crew wrapped up, insisted he would not leave the child and his friend in the appalling conditions.
Comic Relief later confirmed that the children were safe and the star had provided them with a permanent home.
JD told MailOnline: 'It feels nice to know that people who don't know me still care about me. I feel happy about that.'
Fans can get excited about Ed's appearance, as the flame-haired singer may reveal more about his childhood and dreams for the future on the castaway show than in a conventional interview, as many celebrities have done in the past.
Impressive: Like the former footballer, who has acted as a UNICEF ambassador for more than a decade, Ed has proved his ability to act as a humanitarian and celebrity ambassador, as well as a musician
While on the show David Beckham gave rare insights both into his and Victoria's life together and his most difficult footballing moments.
The star revealed that the secret to his and Victoria's marriage is being able to 'work through' the 'tough times' on the show, giving a rare insight into the high-profile couple's union.
The 41-year-old explained that he and Victoria, 42, know each other inside out - and it is this mutual love and understanding of each other and their children that has kept them together for so long.
Close connection: David Beckham revealed that the secret to his and Victoria's marriage is being able to 'work through tough times' on his upcoming appearance on Desert Island Discs
He explained: 'We’ve got strong parents. We were brought up with the right values.
'Of course you make mistakes over the years, and we all know marriage is difficult at times but it’s about working through it.'
Affirming their close bond, the former LA Galaxy player continued: 'Whenever we’ve come up against tough times we know each other better than anyone knows us, so we talk.'
The pair, who met at a Manchester United game in 1997, married at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland, and went on to have four children together - Brooklyn, 17, Romeo, 14, Cruz, eleven and five-year-old Harper.
Solid as a rock: He said of his marriage to the designer, 42: 'Of course you make mistakes over the years, and we all know marriage is difficult at times and it’s about working through it'
Their children are often in the spotlight alongside their parents - with Brooklyn enjoying a romance with actress Chloe Moretz last year, and Cruz releasing a Christmas charity single in December.
However the businessman went on to address claims made in the past about his and Victoria's marriage, as a force behind the family's 'brand'.
Refuting such accusations, David sweetly added to Kirsty: 'We stay together ­because we love each other, and because we have four wonderful children.'
Revealing more than just his romantic life, the former footballer also discussed his bold fashion history in the interview.
The father-of-four spoke vividly about the time he had no issue choosing to wear 'burgundy, velvet knickerbockers' over a suit for a wedding during his childhood.
The former England skipper revealed: 'I had two options, just a normal suit or the option of burgundy, velvet knickerbockers with white tights and white ballet shoes, and I chose that, believe it or not.'
Well he is Goldenballs: The football icon's appointment for the upcoming episode raised a few eyebrows, as critics compared him to past guests such as Margaret Thatcher and Bruce Springsteen
'I felt great. My dad looked at me as if to say, "really, is that what you picked?'", he continued.
Clearly enthralled by his confession, Kirsty asked if he ever wore the ensemble again, to which the handsome star replied: 'I think I did!'
The Scottish host humoured back: 'Not to football training, I hope!'
Risk taker: David - who is married to fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - has been hailed quite the style icon with a number of bold looks ranging from braided locks, a sarong and nail varnish (Pictured above in 1999)
But despite the success of the interview, ahead of its release there were several high profile critics of David Beckham's selection for the landmark episode.
One was Tory MP Sir Bill Cash, who said the BBC should have picked a ‘Nobel Prize winner, a really great author or a cultural icon’ instead of the footballer.
He said: ‘I am not saying I would discount David Beckham for any episode of Desert Island Discs, but for the 75th anniversary I think they could raise the pitch.’
Hell for leather! The same year saw David and the songstress don matching skin-tight leather ensembles as they attended a Versace fashion party in London
Mane attraction: The former England skipper also experimented with his hair and opted for the shaven head look in 2000 (L) before switching to braids in 2003 (R)
Nailing the look: The sportsman has also been known to favour a more well-groomed look and was pictured sporting a light pink manicure at the christening of Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian in 2002
But Kirsty Young said she was happy with the choice of the footballer for the episode, which later received rave reviews from fans.
Speaking about his selection ahead of the interview, the footballer said: ‘I’m delighted to join Desert Island Discs for its 75th anniversary celebrations. Music has been a huge part of my – and my family’s – life and it is a real pleasure to highlight that on such an iconic programme.’
And Kirsty, who has fronted the Sunday morning programme since 2006, said: ‘Seventy-five is a birthday worth celebrating, and having David Beckham as my castaway seems like the perfect gift.’
Happy: Kirsty Young, the long-running presenter of the series, appeared delighted by the choice, saying that having the ex-England captain on the show was the ‘perfect gift’