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Ed Sheeran slept through his album launch amid 'pretty gnarly' COVID-19 battle

Watch: Ed Sheeran had solo album party after COVID-19 diagnosis

Ed Sheeran has confessed he slept through the midnight launch of his new album in the midst of a "pretty gnarly" struggle with COVID-19.

The 30-year-old singer told Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 that he thinks he's now "getting to the other side" of the illness after testing positive last weekend.

Read more: Ed Sheeran reveals strict working hours since fatherhood

He said: "The beginning of the week was pretty gnarly but I just drunk a lot of water and slept a lot and had all the vitamins that the doctor told me to have.

"But yeah, it's the first time I didn't stay up for an album release. I tried and then I was just like 'you know what I need some sleep'.

"I went to bed and got a good night's sleep and I was up bright and early."

Ed Sheeran was unable to celebrate his album launch due to being ill with COVID-19. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Ed Sheeran was unable to celebrate his album launch due to being ill with COVID-19. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Sheeran has been conducting numerous interviews from his Suffolk home in order to promote the release of his fourth album =, which was unveiled on Friday.

He said earlier this year that he believes the new record to be "the best bit of work that I’ve done" and revealed he had written considerably more than the 14 tracks which make their way on to the album.

Read more: Ed Sheeran bought a phone just to use NHS COVID-19 app

Sheeran cancelled all imminent in-person appearances and performances on Sunday, after receiving a positive test for COVID-19.

He wrote on Instagram: "Quick note to tell you that I’ve sadly tested positive for COVID, so I’m now self-isolating and following government guidelines.

"It means that I’m now unable to plough ahead with any in person commitments for now, so I’ll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house."

Ed Sheeran has spoken of his pride at the release of his new album. (Gisele Tellier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran has spoken of his pride at the release of his new album. (Gisele Tellier/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The new album is expected to continue Sheeran's chart dominance, having already spawned three top 10 singles.

Bad Habits and Shivers both went to number one in the UK Singles Chart, while Visiting Hours peaked at number three.

Read more: Sheeran reveals he almost lost favourite guitar in fire

Sheeran is also targeting another run at the Christmas number one spot, revealing a preview of his festive duet with Sir Elton John during his BBC Radio 2 interview.

He said: "It's definitely got loads of sleigh bells on it and will sound a lot more Christmassy than that, but that is a tiny hint of the song."

Watch: Ed Sheeran shares terrible teenage performance on The Voice