Showbiz career on hold as Edd Shervington joins Bristol on short-term deal

Despite running a free-range egg business in Gwent and planning a West End career, Edd Shervington is back in rugby at Bristol

Welsh hooker Edd Shervington has put his West End singing career on hold to sign for Bristol.

The 31-year-old has arrived at the Aviva Premiership club until the end of November as cover for injuries.

In May 2016, the former Wales under-21 international announced his retirement from Wasps and said he wanted to embark on a showbiz career.

"Edd was available and lives relatively locally, so it suits us," said director of rugby Andy Robinson.

Bristol are already without Marc Jones and Max Crumpton, while a knee injury sustained by Ross McMillan leaves Robinson with Chris Brooker and Rob Hawkins as his only two available hookers.

"After the injury to Ross, we acted quickly to ensure we had cover in the hooker position. Ross will be unavailable for up to six months," Robinson told bristolrugby.co.uk.

"With Anglo-Welsh Cup rugby and Aviva Premiership fixtures in November, it's important we have the numbers to compete.

"We expect Marc to be back before the end of November, he's working hard on his rehabilitation programme alongside the Club's medical team."

Shervington played for Neath and Ospreys before signing for Worcester Warriors in 2010 and then moving to Wasps.

In May he surprised many by announcing his retirement from rugby to concentrate on his family farming business and his attempt to break into showbiz by treading the boards in London's West End.

Shervington said at the time: "I'm sure people will think my West End ambitions are a wind-up. The family farming business is going really well. The time is right to hang up the boots and try a new challenge."

But Newport-born Shervington's focus for the moment will be helping Bristol through their injury crisis.