Ed Sheeran has found that he is connected to a ruthless mobster, who is the subject of Martin Scorsese’s new film.
The 28-year-old singer's family tree has revealed that he is related to Mafia hitman Frank Sheeran, who is portrayed by Robert De Niro in The Irishman.
The murderous gangster was infamous for "painting houses" with his victims' blood, during vicious slayings that were ordered by his Mafia bosses.
Ed has reportedly revealed his connection to Frank in a conversation with De Niro's co-star in the movie, Stephen Graham.
The 46-year-old actor, who recently starred in the latest series of Line of Duty, said: "They’re related, you know. Honest to God — I swear on my nana’s life.
“That’s what Ed said, he says it’s his distant uncle.”
While the events in The Irishman are deeply unsavoury, they are based upon real events according to Graham.
He said about the film: "It’s all based on true events, on Frank Sheeran. Before he passed away, he gave all this information to a journalist who turned it into a book.”
This biography was called I Heard You Paint Houses, and it was written by Charles Brandt.
He wrote that Frank, who was 6ft 4in, was working for Mafia bosses Russell Bufalino and Angelo Bruno.
They are depicted in Scorcese's movie by Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel.
Sheeran, the gangster - not the singer, also worked as muscle and security for union boss Jimmy Hoffa, who is played by Al Pacino in the movie.
Brandt has claimed that Frank Sheeran killed Hoffa, after he went missing in 1975.
Ed himself confirmed the family connection on social media, as The Irishman opened in cinemas before heading to Netflix on November 27.
The chart-topping singer wrote: "Robert De Niro is playing a top Irish gangster in a new Martin Scorsese film. The gangster he is playing is called Frank Sheeran. True story.”
Frank died of cancer in 2003, aged 83.
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