Ed Sheeran tries to jump ship and move to New Zealand

He declared his love for New Zealand and asked the country’s leader to ‘hook him up’ and let him move there, in a cheeky video posted earlier this week.

But Ed Sheeran was no doubt unprepared for prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s response, which saw her challenging him to a hilarious informal citizenship quiz.

The British singer, 26, was asked if he knew what ‘jandals’ were and whether he liked ‘pineapple lumps’ in a mock-serious interrogation.

Ed kicked off the exchange by recording a video message for New Zealanders before his hotly-anticipated concerts in the country next March.

‘Hey New Zealand I can’t wait to see you very soon. I’m not yet a citizen of New Zealand but I’m working on it – hook me up prime minister please,’ Sheeran pleaded, in the clip for local radio station ZM. 

New Zealand’s leader Jacinda, 37, responded with an informal 35-second citizenship quiz, recorded in her parliamentary office in Wellington.  

‘Hello Ed, my name is Jacinda Ardern, I’m the Prime Minister of New Zealand and I understand you’ve put through a very informal request for citizenship,’ Ardern deadpanned.

Tense times: The 26-year-old singer was asked if he knew what ‘jandals’ are and whether he liked ‘pineapple lumps’ in Jacinda’s mock-serious interrogation

Cheeky: Ed kicked off the exchange by recording a video message for New Zealanders before his hotly-anticipated concerts there in March’

‘Before we’re able to think about that a little bit more I’ve got some very important questions for you. The first, do you like pineapple lumps? Do you even know what they are?’ she asked with a mock-solemn expression.

Pineapple lumps are a New Zealand treat – a chocolate-covered sweet with a pineapple-flavoured soft centre, which New Zealanders often store in the freezer. 

‘Two, are you willing to wear jandals in semi-inappropriate situations, and also, do you know what jandals are?’ Jacinda continued ruthlessly.

Jumping ship: ‘Hey New Zealand I can’t wait to see you very soon. I’m not yet a citizen of New Zealand but I’m working on it – hook me up prime minister please,’ Sheeran pleaded

Hmm: New Zealand’s leader Jacinda responded with an informal 35-second citizenship quiz, recorded in her parliamentary office in Wellington

Jandals – thought to be a derivation of ‘Japanese sandals’ – are flip flops.

‘Third, most important question of all,’ Jadern said as she smiled and leaned back in her chair. ‘Are you willing to make New Zealand your home? Let me know.’

Ed is yet to respond to the latest development in his unofficial bid to move to New Zealand, after he previously declared Wellington is his favourite city in the world.

‘My favourite city in the world, to be in, is Wellington. I think Wellington is just so wonderfully beautiful,’ the Shape Of You singer said in November.

‘I’ve actually considered it [moving to Wellington]. If I didn’t have any ties to England I’d be in Wellington in a flash.’

Just messing: ‘Before we’re able to think about that a little bit more I’ve got some very important questions for you. The first, do you like pineapple lumps? Do you even know what they are?’ she asked with a mock-solemn expression

Interrogation: ‘Two, are you willing to wear jandals [flip flops] in semi-inappropriate situations, and also, do you know what jandals are?’ Jacinda continued ruthlessly

 Sweet: ‘Third, most important question of all,’ Jacinda said as she smiled and leaned back in her chair. ‘Are you willing to make New Zealand your home? Let me know’

It comes after Ed – one of the UK’s most accomplished artists in recent times – gave his take on the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

During an interview on Australian radio, Ed defended his British doppelganger’s decision to propose to the American Suits actress, who has previously been divorced.

The Castle On The Hill wished the couple the best, after radio hosts claimed Harry had ‘plucked Meghan from obscurity’. 

‘Yeah man, I think, it’s like: “What’s there to be mad about?” he asked on Australia’s KIIS FM on Thursday. 

‘What’s there to be mad about?’ It comes after Ed defended his doppelganger Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle on Australian radio

‘Like, obviously they’re in love and they’re going to get married… I think it’s great!’ 

Prince Harry was reportedly ‘left in stitches’ back in March, when a school girl insisted that he was a dead ringer for musician Ed.

‘Are you the real Prince Harry?’ the girl quipped, according to Hello Magazine, after rattling off several jokes about their alleged doppelganger status.

Still ‘in stitches’ at the schoolgirl’s energetic questioning, he reportedly replied: ‘Yes, the other one is Ed Sheeran.’

‘Obviously they’re in love!’ The Castle On The Hill wished the couple the best, after radio hosts claimed Harry had ‘plucked Megan from obscurity’ 

Exciting news: ‘Like, obviously they’re in love and they’re going to get married… I think it’s great!’ he said of their happy announcement