Taylor Swift may be renowned for her ever-expanding girl squad, but it’s her bond with everyone’s favorite ginger singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, that’s provided the cutesiest BFF moments.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift — Image: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Atlantic Records

Everyone knows just how brilliant Taylor Swift’s girl squad is. Lily Aldridge, Martha Hunt, Hailee Steinfeld, Zendaya – what a team. And that’s not even counting the likes of Selena Gomez and Ellie Goulding. It’s T-Swift’s closeness to the hugely talented Ed Sheeran, however, that’s provided the cutesiest BFF moments, as these images reveal.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift — Image: Instagram/taylorswift

The pair’s friendship began in 2012 when Sheeran discovered that Swift had scribbled some of his lyrics on her arm during a gig in Nashville, Tennessee. They met after the show and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift — Image: via Sugarscape

Sheeran told MTV that he expected Swift to be a “douchebag” after enjoying success at such a young age. A little harsh perhaps, but he soon realized that she was among “the loveliest” people he’d ever met.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift hug — Image: via taygifs/Tumblr

Despite rumors to the contrary, the pair have insisted their relationship is purely platonic. Ed jokingly told radio station Power 105.1 that Swift’s height and his hairy feet would make them look like cast members of The Hobbit.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift SNL — Image: Instagram/taylorswift

It’s little surprise, though, that people started talking about a potential romance. The pair have regularly engaged in public displays of affection, after all – often on stage in front of thousands of people.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift laugh — Image: via Teen.com

But it soon became apparent that their relationship wasn’t fueled by love or lust. Sheeran has admitted that the pair used to set each other up on dates, while the Brit is often seen out and about with Swift and her boyfriend, Calvin Harris.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift theme park — Image: Twitter/Taylor Swift

Sheeran has at least acknowledged that their friendship is a little out of the ordinary. “It’s quite a weird thing for the number one and number two biggest-selling artists in the world to be close friends,” he told Billboard.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift texts — Image: Instagram/Taylor Swift

The A-lister pair often engage in the kind of late-night text conversations you’d expect from a loved-up couple. Hopefully Harris doesn’t mind too much.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift cat — Image: Instagram/Taylor Swift

Sheeran passed the ultimate friendship test when he got the seal of approval from Swift’s beloved cat, Meredith. Ed struck up an immediate bond with the Scottish Fold, who’s become something of a celeb in her own right.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift video — Image: YouTube/TaylorSwiftVEVO

The pair’s personal relationship became professional in 2012 with the Red album duet “Everything Has Changed.” The Billboard Hot 100 hit was reportedly written while the pair were on a trampoline.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift stage — Image: heo Wargo/Getty Images for Jingle Ball 2012

The duo, who have been nicknamed “Sweeran,” first shared the stage together in 2012 when they performed “Everything Has Changed” at Z100’s Jingle Ball at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift tattoo — Image: Twitter/Kevin Paul

Sheeran has also proved to be quite a handy marketing tool for Swift. Not only did he tweet about buying Red when it came out; he later got a tattoo of the album’s title on his left arm.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift awards — Image: via Capital FM

Swift and Sheeran did perform separately at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, in which the former picked up eight gongs. But they still managed to watch most of the show together.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift photobooth — Image: Instagram/Taylor Swift

Sheeran proved his loyalty when he leapt to the defense of Swift during her NME Video Music Award-related Twitter feud with Nicki Minaj. Ed told The Daily Telegraph that the rapper’s remark about perceived favoritism was “a bit redundant.”

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift clown — Image: Instagram/Taylor Swift

After hitting the road together on Swift’s mammoth 15-month Red Tour, Sheeran decided to honor their final show by invading the stage dressed as a rather creepy clown. Thankfully Swift saw the funny side.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift make-up — Image: Twitter/Taylor Swift

Not content with being a multiple Grammy-winning, chart-topping singer-songwriter, Swift added make-up artist to her list of many talents when she helped Sheeran get ready for the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. And very pretty he looked, too.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift needlework — Image: via ABC

Despite earning enough money to sustain a small country, Swift still prefers the homemade touch when it comes to giving gifts. This Drake-themed needlepoint, which was presented to Sheeran, is perhaps her finest work.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift 4th July — Image: Instagram/Taylor Swift

“Sweeran” may be permanently gushing about each other, but they aren’t afraid of the odd bit of teasing. In 2015, for example, Sheeran dressed as a British redcoat in a defiant but comical stance against Swift’s Independence Day celebrations.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift friends — Image: Instagram/Alessandra Ambrosio

Swift holds Sheeran in such high regard that she’s even allowed him to join her A-list squad. The British singer later joked that the posse wasn’t a “vaginas-only club.”

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift birthday message — Image: Instagram/Taylor Swift

The pair never miss a chance to tell the world about their friendship. Swift declared her love for Sheeran while accepting the Best International Female award at the 2015 Brit Awards, while she famously sent him a dewy-eyed Instagram message on his 25th birthday.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift hat — Image: via ET

The pair may be BFFs but they aren’t averse to the odd bit of healthy competition. Sheeran told Sydney Confidential that his ultimate goal is to seize Swift’s reputation for being the world’s biggest musical act. Whether he manages to remains to be seen.