Brenda Edwards praises ‘beautiful soul’ Ed Sheeran as she grieves son Jamal’s death

Brenda Edwards has revealed that Ed Sheeran is helping her cope with her son Jamal's tragic death.

The Loose Women star said the singer and his family 'who she loves to the bone' has been checking in on her regularly.

Edwards said: "Ed is a beautiful soul. He is an amazing, phenomenal talent. I love him and his whole family to the bone.

"We are close, the families are close, and he has been there and offered me support. He is there playing to millions on tour but he is still concerned and worried about me.

"It warms my heart and touches my heart how so many people have come together to support us through something that is very upsetting and is still very raw," she added to The Sun.

Music entrepreneur Edwards, who died in February aged 31 from cardiac arrhythmia after taking recreational drugs, was a close, longtime pal of Sheeran's.

The Shape Of You singer, 31, has made a string of tributes to his late friend, including dedicating his music video, Are You Entertained, which Edwards had helped creatively plan just before his death, to him in July.

Last week, Sheeran also shared a snap of the pair enjoying a drink together at what appeared to be a bar. He captioned the image: ‘Peru with my brother’.

TV presenter and West End star Edwards, 53, her daughter Tanisha, 22, and staff at SBTV - a music-media company founded by Jamal - will mark his upcoming birthday with a tribute event in Greenwich, London today.

Jamal Edwards - In pictures

Rapper Big Narstie and singer Fleur East, who is set to appear in this year's Strictly Come Dancing, are set to perform. Ticket sales will go to the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Foundation.

Edwards died from a cardiac arrest after a late-night cocaine and drinking session, according to an inquest earlier this month.

Three small snap bags containing the remnants of white powder were found on him after he collapsed at his west London home in February this year.

Assistant West London coroner Ivor Collett ruled that he had died after a cardiac arrest brought on by the drugs and alcohol intake.

His heartbroken mother described him as “a beautiful and selfless person” in a statement read to the inquest.

She previously said she wanted his death to “help drive more conversation about the unpredictability of recreational drugs”.