Ed Sheeran has climbed the charts of the UK’s richest musicians after his wealth doubled in the last year, but he has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter total worth now stands at £160 million and he has overtaken Adele to land in 17th place in the latest edition of the Sunday Times Rich List.
Adele sits at number 22, with £150 million to her name. The songstress, who last month announced her split from husband Simon Konecki after three years, remains the wealthiest female recording artist.
She and Sheeran are exceptions in a list dominated by veteran stadium rockers with decades of experience and sales.
The top spot is claimed by composer Lord Lloyd-Webber with a fortune of £820 million. He overtook Beatles star McCartney who is the only featured star whose wealth has reduced.
The former Beatle and his wife Nancy Shevell are second with £750 million, down £70 million on last year. In third is Bono-fronted Irish rock band U2 who are valued together at £583 million.
Ten Richest Musicians In The UK (2019)
1. Lord Lloyd-Webber, £820 million
2. Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell, £750 million
3. U2, £583 million
4. Sir Elton John, £320 million
5. Sir Mick Jagger, £275 million
6. Keith Richards, £260 million
7. Olivia and Dhani Harrison, £250 million
8. Sir Ringo Starr, £240 million
9. Michael Flatley, £204 million
10. Sting, £200 million
In fourth is Sir Elton John with £320 million, a gain of £20 million on last year despite sizeable donations to his Aids foundations in the UK and US.
Suffolk-raised singer Sheeran also topped the list of wealthiest young musicians, ahead of former One Direction stars Harry Styles and Niall Horan at two and three respectively.
All five former members of the chart-topping boy band feature on the list with Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik appearing at fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.
Grime artist Stormzy debuts on the list with a fortune of £16 million a week after he scored his first number one single with Vossi Bop.
The full lists will be published in a special edition of the Sunday Times Magazine on May 12
