Ed Sheeran has revealed that he plans to step away from music and touring at the end of the year to focus on spending more time with his family.
The singer-songwriter made the announcement during a concert at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday while performing on the North American leg of his Loop Tour.
Addressing the crowd, Sheeran said: "This is gonna be my last time here in a while."
He added: "I might take some time off once this tour has ended and sort of do the dad thing.
"So if I don't see you for a while, I love you, thank you for coming."
The comments suggest that the chart-topping star will take an extended break from performing and releasing new music once his current run of tour dates comes to an end.
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Sheeran's North American dates are scheduled to conclude in Tampa, Florida, on November 7, before he heads to Latin America for a series of shows across Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
His final scheduled performance of the year is set to take place in Mexico City on December 12.
The 35-year-old is married to Cherry Seaborn, and the couple share two daughters, Lyra Antarctica, born in 2020, and Jupiter, born in 2022.
Sheeran has frequently spoken about how becoming a father changed his priorities and influenced both his personal life and music.
Ed Sheeran has a very large international fanbase. Cineberg, Shutterstock
This is not the first time the singer has stepped back from the spotlight.
In late 2019, following the conclusion of his hugely successful Divide Tour, Sheeran announced a hiatus from social media and public life, telling fans he wanted to travel, write and spend more time with those closest to him.
Since returning, he has released multiple albums, including Subtract, Autumn Variations, and most recently Play, while continuing to tour extensively around the world.
Although Sheeran has not confirmed how long his latest break will last, his comments indicate that family life will take priority once his current touring commitments come to an end later this year.
