Snow Patrol star's Hollywood relationship with Courtney Cox that only happened because of Ed Sheeran

Johnny McDaid, a member of the band Snow Patrol, which will be performing in Cardiff this summer has spent much of his life writing hit songs. But he also has another famous connection which has sparked the interest of lots of his fans over the years - his long term relationship with Hollywood actress Courteney Cox.

The couple met in an unusual way, and their love story might never have happened without a helping hand from Ed Sheeran. But first, who is Johnny McDaid? The Snow Patrol band member was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1976. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he joined Snow Patrol in 2011, contributing to their later albums.

The band is best known for songs like Chasing Cars and Run, but Johnny has also collaborated with major artists, including Ed Sheeran, shaping some of the biggest hits in recent years. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.

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Courteney shot to fame in the 1990s as Monica Geller on Friends, and the show became a cultural phenomenon. And alongside her acting career, she has built a life in Malibu, where she’s known for her laid-back lifestyle and close friendships with fellow celebrities.

After her divorce from actor David Arquette, Courteney's love life was a huge talking point for fans. But little did she know, a famous friend staying in her home would lead to a big life change.

How Ed Sheeran made it happen

Ed Sheeran has shared that he often stays with Courteney Cox, who is a close friend of his when he is in Los Angeles, with the pair being known to have recreated the iconic Friends dance routine together, have impromptu kitchen jams and play pranks on each other.

The pair also often appear on each other's social media. Back in 2013, when Ed Sheeran was staying at Courteney's house in Malibu, he invited Johnny McDaid over when she threw a star-studded house party one day, and this was how the couple met.

Ed reportedly invited several of his musician friends, including Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody, and Courteney was instantly drawn to Johnny, who was playing the piano. By June 2014, they were engaged and the Friends actress later revealed that she and Johnny shared an instant connection.

Challenges and long term commitment

The couple has faced their fair share of challenges over the years, and Courteney has even shared that Johnny once blindsided her by breaking up with her during a therapy session just after their engagement. She said on Minnie Questions: “We went to this therapist to talk about our boundaries, what we could and couldn’t accept about each other and acceptance.

“Instead, he just broke up in the first minute and I was like ‘what?’ We were engaged and I was so shocked and I was in so much pain and I don’t like surprises.”

But eventually, they reunited and became stronger than ever. Reflecting on the breakup, Courteney added: “I’m so thankful for that breakup because when we got back together it was a different relationship but also because it really taught me how I operated in the world.”

Johnny is also now equally dedicated to his partner, it seems. He told PEOPLE in October 2018: "My thoughts are never without Court. She's my best friend. She's my partner, in everything. When I write her poems, it's just an extension of how I feel every second anyway."

10 years and counting

Despite getting back together, the couple never did get married but seem to be happier than ever and going strong to this day. In 2023, the couple marked their 10th anniversary. Courteney posted a touching video on Instagram showing highlights from their relationship paired with the song Shape of You by Ed Sheeran.

She credited the Thinking Out Loud singer for being their matchmaker, writing in the video “10 years ago this guy introduced me to this guy”, ending the video with the message: “Happy anniversary J.”