Ed Sheeran confirmed as TikTok's most viewed artist of 2021

Ed Sheeran had the most-viewed artist’s account on TikTok this year, according to new figures from the video-sharing platform released today.

The 30-year-old English pop act launched three exclusive single previews from his album Equals on TikTok this year, and 5.5 million people tuned in to watch his record-breaking live performance at the UEFA Euro 2020 show, the social media platform revealed in its Year On TikTok Music Report. Sheeran is currently still at No.1 in the UK and Ireland singles chart for his duet with Elton John, 'Merry Christmas'.

Sheeran has just under 10 million TikTok followers and his account is just shy of garnering 80 million likes. He managed to overtake last year’s leading artist, Essex-based singer-songwriter Sam Ryder, for the amount of people viewing the account.

#YearOnTikTok is here and Ed is #1 for Most New Followers (UK & Ireland), Most Viewed Artist Account and Top Artist Live 🤯
Thank you to everyone for watching ❤️ @TikTok_UK #YearOnTikTok pic.twitter.com/Csjcd5Bt2D

— Ed Sheeran HQ (@edsheeran) December 13, 2021

Despite losing his 'most viewed artist' crown, Ryder continued to reign supreme as the artist with the most followers in the UK and Ireland. He accumulated 11 million fans and nearly 92 million likes on his account.

The report, an analysis of the songs and artists who have “dominated” the platform in the UK this year, features Ryder in second position, with KSI and Yungblud also included in the top five.

Singer and The Voice coach Anne-Marie, Mimi Webb, The Stickmen and The 202 Band also feature in the top 10 most-viewed artist accounts.

Sheeran released his No.1 album Equals in October, and also had the most amount of new followers this year on TikTok. Alongside Niall Horan, Coldplay, and Dua Lipa – the Halifax native's music is consistently at the centre of TikTok trends.

This year’s most viewed artist accounts varied from Yungblud’s impassioned speeches about inclusion to Here At Last’s upbeat videos. This year was host to the UK’s first number one drill track, 'Body' by Tion Wayne and Russ Millions, crowned TikTok’s No.1 track by a UK artist.

Sam Smith’s 'Like I Can' and PinkPantheress’ breakout hit 'Just For Me' follow, while other favourites like Dua Lipa’s 'Levitating', Nathan Evan’s 'Wellerman' remix with 220 KID & Billen Ted, and Wes Nelson’s 'Nice to Meet Ya' also feature in the top 10. In total, the Top 10 UK songs have accumulated 219 billion video views on 131 million video creations.

“2021 has been a landmark year for TikTok, our artists and partners across the UK music industry, a year when our artist community and sounds became even bigger and more diverse and when fans discovered and rediscovered incredible music, both new and old," Paul Hourican, head of music operations EU and UK for TikTok, commented.

“The ascent of 'Body' from Tion Wayne and Russ Millions, the reimagining of sea shanties by Nathan Evans, the long-anticipated new music of Ed Sheeran, the rise of #busker, and Pink Pantheress’ global success have all made 2021 truly unique.”