Ed Sheeran plans music hiatus

Justin Bieber (L) and Ed Sheeran. Photo / Getty Images

Ed Sheeran is planning to take a nine-month break on December 12.

The Thinking Out Loud hitmaker has had a whirlwind few years but is ready to spend some time away from the spotlight to be with his friends and family and has already planned his final social media post.

He said: "I'll put a post out saying, 'I'm with friends and family - if you love me you'll allow me to disappear for a few months and I'll speak to you in a bit'. I think a break for me is coming off my phone, social media and emails.

"I am constantly on my phone, texting, replying to emails, on Twitter, on Snapchat, on Facebook. I just want to get off it and live and drive to places and listen to music and have normal conversations with people and get back to normality. I've got a packed schedule, then, when December 12 comes, it's done."

The 24-year-old singer was celebrating an amazing year - that has seen him net no less than two number one singles and two Brit Awards - at the premiere of his concert movie Jumpers for Goalposts.

He was joined at the London viewing by Justin Bieber and fancies the What Do You Mean hitmaker's chances when he goes head to head with One Direction when they both drop their highly-anticipated albums on the same day next month.

He told The Sun newspaper: "The British public kind of fell out of love with Bieber but he's redeemed himself.

"The one thing Bieber has done is he's always released good music. If 1D go on to sell a million copies before Christmas that'll mean more to them than having a No1 album."

- Bang! Showbiz