Ed Sheeran buys pig-shaped statue of himself

British musician Ed Sheeran has reportedly bought a pig-shaped statue of himself for $8,069 .

The porky monument, which consists of a pig sporting Ed's ginger locks, tattoos and trademark checked shirt, was displayed as part of an art project in Ed's hometown of Ipswich, England over the summer (16), before being auctioned off for charity last week (end25Sep16).

Dubbed Ed Sheer-ham, the porcine artwork was bought by a mystery buyer for $8,069 , who later turned out to be the Thinking Out Loud singer himself.

Rachel Backshall who works at St Elizabeth Hospice, the beneficiaries of the $202,057 raised in total at the charity sale, confirmed to the BBC that it was Ed who had purchased the pig.

"Ed has said that he is really excited about winning the pig and helping the hospice and that it will have pride of place," she said.

Staff at the hospice had thought the musician might put in a bid after he previously described the pig sculpture as "awesome". However at first he didn't let on about his plans to bid.

"We were wondering if he would want to buy it, but then he said he would sign the pig for the winner - he was very good at keeping everyone guessing," Rachel revealed.

The Ed Sheer-ham artwork was one of 40 porky statues which formed the Pigs Gone Wild art trail in and around Ipswich.

The pop superstar, who grew up in Framlingham, a village near the town, spent his early years as a musician performing in the area and has maintained strong connections with local causes, including the hospice.

Last year (15) he was presented with an honorary degree by the town's University Campus Suffolk for his contribution to music.