Ed Sheeran returns to social media after lengthy break, citing ‘turbulent things’ in his personal life

Ed Sheeran announced his return to social media after a lengthy break on Tuesday (January 31).

In a new Instagram video, the Shape of You hitmaker apologised to fans for being inactive online and explained that his absence was down to a “turbulent” time in his personal life but said “things are looking up”.

The 31-year-old promised his fans that they can now expect him to start posting more.

He began: “I realise I haven’t been that engaged in my fanbase or my social media online over the last couple of years and the things that have been posted on this account might have got a bit boring, I’m sorry.

“The reason I’m making this video, just being totally honest, I’ve had some turbulent things happening in my personal life, so I just didn’t really feel like being online and pretending to be something I’m not when I wasn’t really feeling like that.

“I know that sounds weird, but I’m making this video to say things are looking up and I’m back online,” he continued.

“So weird s**t is gonna start being posted here. I’ve made this video about 50 f*****g times I’m not making another one!”

Sheeran announced he would be taking a break from social media in November, after wrapping up work on a new music video.

Sharing a behind-the-scenes snap overlooking a beach, he penned the caption: “Signing off now until 2023.

“See you in the new year. Much love, Ed x.”

The British singer is amidst his worldwide tour and is currently on the Australia and New Zealand leg of his shows.

In May, Sheeran welcomed second daughter, Jupiter, with wife Cherry Seaborn. However, he was left devastated last February when his close friend Jamal Edwards died aged 31.

Edwards, a British music entrepreneur, DJ and founder of the online R&B/Hip-Hop platform SB.TV, passed away of a heart attack after using cocaine at his Acton home.

Paying tribute to Edwards in September, Sheeran told BBC News he believes he wouldn’t have a career without his late friend’s support.

He said: “I really don’t think I would have been given the opportunities that I was given had it not been for Jamal putting his arm around me.”

Sheeran recalled how he had been “slogging on the acoustic singer-songwriter scene for a very long time, just blending in” before he was discovered by Edwards and asked him to perform on his YouTube channel.