Sheeran First Brit To Join Facebook VIP App

Facebook has launched a service called Mentions - which can be used only by the rich and famous.

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has become the first Briton to sign up to the exclusive app - which is currently available only in America.

The app is aimed at "influencers" in music, art and sport - Sheeran's album topped the US charts last month.

The service allows celebrities to respond to comments made about them on the site.

All Facebook users can download the app to search for mentions, but only public figures who are signed-up are allowed to respond.

Among those already using the app is singer Mariah Carey, actor William Shatner, reality TV star Kim Kardashian and entrepreneur Arianna Huffington.

The app has had a frosty reception from Shatner, who last week complained the service "forced" him to follow other celebrities.

He said it had suggested following fellow Star Trek star George Takei, with whom he has feuded for years.

In a post on his Tumblr account, he wrote: "The first person on the list I was given was George Takei (rolling my eyes).

"I ended up choosing Robert Downey Jr to follow and then I hid his posts (sorry Robert!) I think that is a big flaw in the set up. If this app is for celebrities then WHY force them to follow another celebrity in order to set up this app?"

Facebook says the company plans to launch the service in more countries in the near future but membership will be limited to a "few thousand" people.