CHART-topping superstar Ed Sheeran is to play an open air gig in the North-East.

The singer-songwriter, who headlined Glastonbury at the weekend, will play St James' Park in Newcastle on June 8, 2018.

News of the gig was placed under embargo, but a national newspaper has carried an advert for it today.

Sheeran's website, www.edsheeran.com, carries details of the gig, stating that tickets will go on sale on July 8.

The star had tweeted yesterday he would be announcing dates for next year's performances.

In the past the stadium has hosted concerts for artists, including The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band, Queen, Bob Dylan, Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Kings of Leon.

The tour will kick off in Cork on May 4 and other stops will include Manchester, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Cardiff and Dublin.

Sheeran, 26, will perform two dates at London's Wembley Stadium on June 15 and 16.

It will be the first time the singer has performed at Wembley since 2015, when he became the first artist to play the stadium solo (with just his loop pedal and guitar as accompaniment) over three consecutive, sold out nights.

Here are some songs Ed Sheeran might have written if he was a Geordie:

Thinking Oot Loud

(New) Castle on the Hill

Gallowgate Girl

What Do Why Aye Know?