He’s loved by millions for his earnest lyrics, plaintive vocals and instantly familiar brand of acoustic guitar driven music, but singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has unveiled something rather different in a brand new shoot.
Indeed, Sheeran has ditched the trademark baggy T-shirt to reveal a remarkably tight six-pack, an impressively chiselled chest and a perfectly sculpted pair of tattooed biceps after stripping down to his waist for the latest edition of Men’s Health UK.
The British star, 34, has toned up to great effect after binning fast-food and embracing fitness following the birth of daughters Lyra and Jupiter, his two children with wife Cherry Seaborn.
But despite his disciplined new look, the result of regular gym sessions, reformer pilates and a fat-free diet, Sheeran admits at heart he will always be who he was before revolutionising his lifestyle.
He said: ‘[Fitness] just sort of became something that really added to my life. I think, underneath it all, I am a pizza-eating, beer-guzzling smoker, but that’s just not my reality as a parent in my thirties. I think that you have to make good decisions.
‘I’d never run more than a kilometre and did my first 10K during Covid – stuff like that, building up to that, it just makes you feel better.
Ed Sheeran has revealed a remarkably muscular new look after stripping down to his waist for the latest edition of Men’s Health UK
The singer-songwriter insists he’s still a ‘pizza-eating, beer-guzzling smoker’ at heart, despite embracing a healthy lifestyle (pictured in 2019, the year before he welcomed his first child)
‘And I think that in my thirties, that’s where I’m at. I’m not saying I’m done with enjoying myself, I still drink. I love red wine, I love a nice meal, but it’s not every day.’
Sheeran made the decision to change his lifestyle after experiencing a reality check following the birth of Lyra, his eldest daughter, now five, in 2020.
He explained: ‘I became a dad. I remember Lyra was two weeks old and I had my best mate round and we had a bottle of wine. I went to bed, then Lyra woke up 20 minutes after I’d fallen asleep.
‘I woke up and I was like, “F*ck, I probably shouldn’t drink if I’m going to feel this dreadful.” I want to be able to do the night stuff.
‘It all came in at the same time of wanting to be a responsible dad, wanting to feel and look good. I didn’t want to pick my kid up and have my back f**ked and stuff like that.
‘And then also that feeds into professional life… I wanted to feel superhuman on stage.’
Perhaps with that in mind, Sheeran – known for his regular interaction with fans – believes his decision to shape up for the sake of his family will resonate with those who look up to him.
He said: ‘I do think it’s relatable for parents to suddenly want to be a bit more healthy and follow a bit more of a routine. And the thing with reformer [pilates] is, it’s something anyone can start off with and it’s a really gentle introduction to [fitness].
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Sheeran has toned up to great effect after binning fast food and embracing fitness following the birth of daughters Lyra and Jupiter, his two children with wife Cherry Seaborn
The singer-songwriter – known for his regular interaction with fans – believes his decision to shape up for the sake of his family will resonate with those who look up to him
Sheeran made the decision to change his lifestyle after experiencing a reality check following the birth of Lyra, his eldest daughter, now five, in 2020
‘I’m not saying we all need to run marathons and blah, blah, blah. I’m also not selling super-healthy eating or this or that…It’s all about moderation.’
He added: ‘I’ve always been close to my fan base. I’ve always been grateful that people are even interested in my music.
‘If I was playing pubs and three people turned up and wanted to hear my songs, I’m going to want to speak to them afterwards and make a connection because I’m really grateful that they’ve even come.
‘I think that a lot of my songs have framed so many of my fans’ life moments… so we always have this bond or connection no matter what because of those specific songs and memories.’
‘It all came in at the same time of wanting to be a responsible dad, wanting to feel and look good. I didn’t want to pick my kid up and have my back f**ked and stuff like that’
A shirtless Sheeran guzzles beer in an undated social media photo, taken before he began his gruelling fitness journey
The full interview is available to read in the next issue of Men’s Health UK, on sale from December 23, or now on the Men’s Health website
Now into his third decade as an established artist, Sheeran believes it was the heady early days of his career that led to a decline in his physical health.
‘I would say I lived a pretty unhealthy life from 20 to 30,’ he said. ‘And even though I was doing professionally well, I wouldn’t say that reflected well into my personal life.
‘And I do think that wellness is a direct mirror to mental health and the way you feel. I always felt like s*it within myself; I’d wake up and look in the mirror and just feel gross.’
Reflecting on his first tentative steps into a healthier lifestyle, Sheeran says his close friendship with muscular grime artist Stormzy and observing his daily exercise routines helped push him in the right direction.
He added: ‘I look at someone like Stormzy and the training that he goes through to go on tour and that was definitely a catalyst.
‘I went to play with him in 2021 and he was doing a hundred press-ups before he went on stage and I was staring at him like, “What the f*ck is this about?”‘
The full interview is available to read in the next issue of Men’s Health UK, on sale from December 23, or now on the Men’s Health website.
