Ed Sheeran Signals Long Break From Music to Focus on Family

British singer Ed Sheeran said during a concert in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday that he plans to take an extended break from his music career. The announcement came at the start of his North American tour, and he suggested the show could be his last in the area for some time.

Sheeran, 35, who is married and has two children, told fans, "This is going to be my last one in the area for a while," and added, "I might after this take a time of pause once this tour ends, and basically do the dad thing." He said he wants to shift his focus to family life.

The comments followed another major career change, his recent departure from the record label he had been signed to for 15 years. Sheeran has become one of the biggest names in global music, with hits including "Thinking Out Loud," "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill."

Across his career, Sheeran has sold about 200 million albums. His latest album was released in September, and despite the planned pause, he remains one of the industry’s top performers.