Ed Sheeran has opened up about the anxiety he now suffers from as a result of his international fame.
The Shape Of You singer says he feels like “a zoo animal” and has cut his friendship group down to just four friends as he is unable to trust people.
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Ed Sheeran
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
Ed, who released his latest album, No.6 Collaborations Project, this week, told The Sun that he struggles with fans constantly taking pictures of him when he’s out in public.
He said: “It makes me feel like I’m not human. But what instantly cuts me off is that you’re having a moment with them which is so genuine and so nice and then at the end they ask for a picture.
“Like if I am eating in a restaurant now, I would prefer to have a private room because if I eat in the public room I have people filming me while I’m eating my food.
“You feel like a zoo animal. I don’t mean to complain, I have a cool job and life. But I just want to avoid that.”
The 28-year-old star adds that he struggles with anxiety “every day.”
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Simone Joyner via Getty Images
“It creeps up on you,” he explains. “I’ve been working on it for eight years and I closed off from reality. Whether it’s getting rid of your phone or only looking at emails twice a day.”
Ed also revealed that he now goes on tour with just four of his friends and has closed down his social circles so he is only surrounded by people who he truly trusts.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Ed is now worth £160 million, making him the 17th richest musician in the UK, overtaking Adele who sits at number 22 with £150 million to her name.
Ed has sold 150million albums and saw the success of his last tour rake in a reported £500million.
Useful websites and helplines:
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.
Ed Sheeran's 11 Most Lovable Moments
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(01 of09)
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2. Refusing to dye his hairIn the early days of his career, Ed was advised to dye his hair by record executives, but he stuck to his guns... and it turns out that was definitely the right thing to do! (credit:Tim P. Whitby via Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(02 of09)
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4. Crying at the end of 'The Notebook'Tissues at the ready should you ever be lucky enough to watch a rom-com with Ed Sheeran - during an interview he once revealed the last time he'd cried was at the end of 'The Notebook'. Ed, if you're a bird than we're a bird. Or whatever that bird-related quote is. (credit:Chelsea Lauren via Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(03 of09)
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5. Hanging out with his 'best friend'Not sure if we're more jealous of Ed or Kermit to be honest with you. (credit:Instagram)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(04 of09)
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6. His 10/10 comeback to Noel Gallagher.How did Ed cope with rock royalty claiming he "didn't want to live in a world where Ed Sheeran sells out Wembley Stadium"? Shouting? Screaming? Embarrassing Twitter shade?No, Ed stayed calm and collected. And offered Noel free tickets via text, of course. Classy. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(05 of09)
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7. Throwing a suit on for Victoria's SecretTrue, we love Ed in a plaid shirt and jeans, but he certainly scrubs up well too. (credit:Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(06 of09)
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8. Serenading a terminally ill fanAfter Ed learned that it was one of his teenage fan's dying wishes to have him perform for her, he telephoned her directly as she lay in her hospital bed and performed his song 'Little Bird' for her, which her brother claims "sang her to sleep". (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(07 of09)
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9. Defending Taylor SwiftLike every famous person ever to exist, Ed is close pals with Taylor Swift, who he collaborated with on the duet 'Everything Has Changed'.When a journalist asked him what he thought about her reputation as a serial dater, he fired back: "I don’t like when people take shots at her because I do know her personally and I think people get the wrong end of the stick. "She’s so successful and she’s so nice and sweet to everyone that she meets, there is nothing bad to say but she was being pictured with a lot of dudes!" (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(08 of09)
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10. Literally every single time he's been photographed with his catThere is so much to love in this photo, we're not even sure where to start. (credit:Instagram)
Ed Sheeran's Most Lovable Moments(09 of09)
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10. Dressing up as Austin PowersWhy not, eh? (credit:Instagram)