Ed Sheeran says chart-topping success early in his career came at a price, leaving him 'intensely unhappy' for years as he chased a pace that left little room for a personal life. The singer-songwriter, 34, released his eighth studio album Play last week and discussed the toll of fame in a recent interview with The Sun. 'I think in the first decade of my career I was intensely unhappy as I had no balance, I was just work, work, work,' he said. 'And yes, everything was hyper-successful, but it was hyper-successful because I had no personal life at all.'
He admitted that after 16-hour work days when he was starting out in the industry, he has since taken his foot off the gas and is more focused on family and being a dad and husband. Ed married his long-term partner Cherry Seaborn in 2019 and the pair share two children, Lyra, five, and Jupiter, three. They are notoriously private about their relationship. 'In the early years, it was 100 per cent work, 0 per cent personal life. Now it's 70 per cent family, 30 per cent music. Balance isn't just healthy - it's success.'
Earlier this week Ed gave a very rare insight into life with Cherry as he opened up about 'real conflict' in their marriage at a surprise fan event in London on Tuesday. Speaking at the Spotify Q&A he said it was important to be honest about the ups and downs that come with any relationship. He explained: 'Cherry knows I write about everything - not just the good stuff. Songs like 'Perfect' exist, but so do the ones about real conflict. That's part of any relationship, and I think it's important to be honest about it.' He also reflected on how he is now more family and friends focused rather than all about work. Ed said: 'In my early career, it was 100 per cent work, 0 per cent personal life. Now it's 70 per cent family, 30 per cent music. Balance isn't just healthy - it's success.' Earlier this week Ed gave a very rare insight into life with Cherry as he opened up about 'real conflict' in their marriage (seen in 2022) 'When I look back at these years with my family and friends, I want to say: I lived those days and I enjoyed every minute.' He also said one of his new songs is written for Cherry. He said: 'Cherry heard the Bono story about missing his wife's birthday and writing her a song, so it inspired me to gift her one. It's a personal moment that exists only for her.'