'This is gonna be my last time here in a while' Ed Sheeran announces he is stepping back from music

Ed Sheeran has told fans he’s preparing to step away from the spotlight for a while so he can focus on family life. The singer, 35, shared the emotional update on stage during the opening night of his North American LOOP tour in Glendale, Arizona. Today's top videos After performing a run of crowd‑pleasers, he paused to speak directly to the audience — and hinted that they might not see him for some time once the tour wraps. Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn attend The 2024 Met Gala. Pic: Getty Images 'This is gonna be my last time here in a while,' he said. “I might take some time off once this tour has ended and sort of do the dad thing… If I don’t see you for a while, I love you. Thank you for coming.' Sheeran shares two daughters — Lyra, five, and Jupiter, four — with his wife Cherry Seaborn, whom he married in 2019 after the pair first met as children. The singer has already spent much of 2026 on the road, beginning the year with shows in New Zealand before touring Australia and South America. He’ll remain in the U.S. for the next five months, finishing the tour in Tampa, Florida, on November 7. Ed Sheeran performs during iHeartRadio KISS108's Jingle Ball 2025 Presented By Capital One at TD Garden. Pic: Getty Images Sheeran’s announcement comes just weeks after he confirmed he was leaving his record label after 15 years. In a statement to fans, he explained that the decision wasn’t about conflict, but about personal growth: 'This isn’t a disgruntled artist leaving a label. This is a boy who started as a teenager… to the father‑of‑two man who exists now, who feels like he needs a shift and change.' The move sent ripples through the music industry, especially as insiders revealed he walked away from what many described as an 'incredible deal.' His departure has also raised questions about the direction of Warner Music Group under new leadership. Ryan Tubridy with Ed Sheeran. Pic: Instagram Sheeran originally signed with Atlantic Records in 2011 and went on to sell an estimated 200 million albums. His hit Shape of You remains one of the most‑streamed songs in Spotify history. His success has also allowed him to build his own mini‑estate — nicknamed “Sheeranville” — in Suffolk, complete with a pub, chapel and nature pond. Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift attend during the 66th GRAMMY Awards. Pic: Getty Images Industry sources say Sheeran is exploring new label options, including 26.2 — a recently launched Sony‑backed venture led by former Warner executives Julie Greenwald and Max Lousada. For now, though, the singer seems focused on something far simpler: being a dad.