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Ed Sheeran could be ready to walk away from music, and actually that makes a lot of sense

No harm in getting out while you're ahead

Ed Sheeran could be ready to walk away from music, and actually that makes a lot of sense
Tom Victor
24 April 2017

For all the criticism that Ed Sheeran gets, it’s easy to forget he’s just a regular guy with an unnatural talent, capable of doing simple things perfectly and delivering what the people want.

It has emerged this week that Sheeran could be ready to step away from the limelight after a few years at the top, and while the news would be surprising, the sentiment isn’t all that far-fetched.

‘A pal’ told The Daily Star

“Ed has pretty much achieved everything there is to achieve in music.

“He absolutely loves what he does and is riding the wave of his success at the moment, but at the same time he wants a more normal life.

“When or if he gets married he wants to put his wife and kids fi rst and not his career. If that means going AWOL for years then so be it.”

“The big test is if the relationship [with girlfriend Cherry Seaborn] survives this album and the tour.

“When they got together Ed was on his year off but every day in his schedule for the next year is practically full.”

While the unnamed source’s comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, it does makes some sense.

If Sheeran isn’t embarrassed and a bit weirded out by his stardom, he’s a better actor than we’ve given him credit for. Based on the image he’s cultivated, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him spending his thirties retreating into family life and keeping things ticking over by writing the occasional banger while making sure he stays firmly behind the scenes.

It has been said that you either let your career die young, or let it live long enough to become Cliff Richard. And while that analogy might need some work, the same can’t be said for Sheeran’s reported gameplan.

Can anyone really improve on having nine songs in the top 10 at the same time? Well technically yes, but you know what we mean.

Some stars cherish the limelight and find a way to cling onto it even when their entertainment career dries up. Others feel almost uncomfortable having anything to do with the concept of A-List status even when they’re at the top of their game.

Sheeran doesn’t seem the type to get a hankering for awards show performances when he’s been out of the picture for a while, so maybe a spell away would suit him. Or maybe he’s just already sick and tired of performing ‘Galway Girl’ over and over.