Ed Sheeran Quits Social Media: ‘I Am Buggering Off For A Bit’

Ed Sheeran likes to surprise his fans every now and then, but his latest thunderbolt might just be too abrupt for many of his fans to accept with a straight face.

The Thinking Out Loud star, who just wrapped up his worldwide Multiply (styled as “X”) tour in Auckland, shocked his fans by announcing a temporary retirement from social media. If you were wondering just where Ed Sheeran made the announcement, it was on his Instagram page, of course.

The reasons for Ed Sheeran’s sudden decision to “take a break” from social media might be wide and varied, but as BBC noted, the main reason Sheeran wanted to get away from his virtual selves was because he believes the Internet takes a lot of his time away from him — time the British crooner would rather spend with “real people.”

As unfortunate as it may seem to some of Ed Sheeran’s fans, there could a silver lining to Sheeran’s hiatus from the Internet. The singer believes staying away from social media will give him enough time to focus on his third studio album, which (he believes) could be the best music he has produced thus far.

Furthermore, Ed reiterated that his obsession with social media has often disconnected him with the real world, something he intends to get back to during his hiatus. Not only will Ed Sheeran stay away from social media — namely Instagram and Twitter — but he will also completely cut himself off from his phone, emails and the Internet at large.

Below is the full message Ed Sheeran left for his 5.5 million Instagram and 17 million Twitter followers.

“Hello all. I’m taking a break from my phone, emails and all social media for a while, I’ve had such an amazing ride over the last five years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes so I’m taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I missed.

To my family and friends, if you love me you will understand me buggering off for a bit, to my fans, the 3rd album is on its way and is the best thing I have made thus far.

See you all next autumn, and thank you for being amazing.”

When one considers the rigor with which contemporary pop stars are forced to keep up their virtual appearances, Ed Sheeran’s decision to “bugger off” for a while is certainly understandable. Moreover, stars like Sheeran have to tour extensively, which hardly gives the performers any time to relax. After all, Ed is only 24.

In the last one-and-a-half years alone, Ed Sheeran has traveled across the globe, giving sold-out performances from Japan to Australia including three sold out dates at London’s Wembley Stadium, where he was fortunate enough to play alongside Sir Elton John. It is only natural that after such a grueling work schedule, Ed has taken time off to concentrate on his personal well-being.

Having said that, some fans have not taken well to Ed Sheeran’s decision to cut himself off from his fans. While some have been understanding and wished Ed Sheeran all the best for his next album, others have decried the move, saying it could mean Sheeran is going to be losing out on his supporters in the long term.

Nonetheless, music fans know Ed Sheeran will be back, and if waiting for a few months means another spectacular album, the wait might just be worth it.

[Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images]