Shawn Mendes almost missed his big gig in London after getting stuck on a broken down train.
The 27-year-old pop star took to the stage at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night (16.08.25) but he was delayed getting to the venue due to public transport issues and it left him just minutes to rehearse with his surprise guest Niall Horan before starting the show.
After introducing Niall to the audience for a performance of 2016 song This Town, Shawn explained his nightmare journey. According to The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column, he said: “I was on a broken-down train a couple of hours ago and barely made it, so we had about three to six minutes to practise this next song. Be easy on us.”
Shawn added of One Direction star Niall: “I met this fella years and years and years ago. I was probably 16 or 17. I remember I came into this industry and was absolutely terrified of everything and everyone. He was at the worst show and he was like: ‘Mate, let’s have a pint’.
“This guy has really been an older brother to me, I truly love him with all my heart.”
Recent reports suggested Shawn has become the latest big name star to relocate to the UK’s picturesque Cotswolds region to enjoy some peace and quiet.
The singer previously admitted he often struggles with the pressures of fame.
When asked if he’s found a balance between being a public and private person, Shawn told NME: “Yeah, it really depends on the day. Because I’ve gone through swings where I’ve just deleted social media and pretended that no one can see me, and that wasn’t right.
“And then I’ve gone through places where all I can think about is what people think [and] how they see me, and that wasn’t right [either].
“So yeah, it’s a constant relationship, like anything.”
Despite this, Shawn tries to not put too much pressure on himself. The Stitches hitmaker said: “Honestly, I’m so exhausted of caring so much about things working out in a way that the world deems successful.
“I’m tired of that because that perception being the most important thing led me to the most depressed and exhausted I ever was in my life.”