A member of the public complained to police after the singer, one of the world’s best-selling musicians, started performing in the southern Indian city over the weekend.

He was halfway through performing Shape of You, one of the most successful songs of all time, when police unplugged his guitar and microphone, CNN reports.

Police officials said Sheeran had applied for permission but was rejected because the location is “a very busy area and we try to keep the people moving there”.

Sheeran insisted on social media that he “had permission to busk”.