Ed Sheeran: I’d binge on food and alcohol until I'd vomit

The singer has spoken candidly about overindulging on food and alcohol while in a ‘dark place’ on tour 
Ed Sheeran Mathematics Tour
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Kimberley Bond27 July 2020
The Weekender

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Ed Sheeran has discussed suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and thoughts of self-loathing in the early days of his success.

The 29-year-old explained his “addictive personality” led to him bingeing on food and alcohol while on the road, with the singer citing his 2014 world tour to promote album X as his lowest point.

Speaking at the Hay House Chasing the Present Summit, Sheeran explained: “I would stay up and drink all night and then sleep on the bus. The buses would park underneath the arenas and I'd sleep on the bus all day, then wake up and then come out, do the show, drink, get back on the bus and I didn't see sunlight for maybe four months.

"It's all fun and games at the start. It's all rock and roll, and then like it starts getting sad. That was probably like the lowest that I've been and I kind of ballooned in weight.”

Sheeran appeared to hint at his wedding date
PA

The Shape of You singer added that at the time, he failed to eat and drink moderation.

“I see no point in having a glass of wine. I'd rather have two bottles,” he continued.

"Having a glass of wine is having something in moderation and probably isn't going to affect your day the next day. But two bottles of wine probably might make you quite sad."

It was while Sheeran toured that he found himself struggling

"They used to call me two-dinner Teddy because I used to order two meals and eat that. Then you start putting on loads of weight and hating the way you look.”

And the negative thoughts began to cultivate in Sheeran’s mind, leading the star to experience some particularly “dark feelings.”

"I felt, 'What was the point?' In a dark way, like, 'Why am I around? What is the point?'" he said.

Sheeran found the rock and roll lifestyle on tour a struggle
Dave Benett

Sheeran explained meeting with Sir Elton John helped him put his life back on track.

"There are so many things that he did that I do," the star said.

"He would be like, 'I would just go on an ice cream binge and eat four desserts until I threw up', and I was like, 'I've done that before'.

Wife Cherry has been a positive influence
Getty Images

"Or his martini binges, where he sees how many martinis he can drink. And I'm like, 'I've done that before too'.

"With addiction, its very hard to moderate but moderation is the key.

"I think things like sugar, sweet stuff, junk food, cocaine, alcohol, it feels good the more you do, but it's the worst thing for you."

Sheeran, who announced a hiatus from music following the success of his No. 6 Collaborations Project, added wife of two years Cherry Seaborn was also a positive influence.

“She exercises a lot, so I started going on runs with her. She eats quite healthily so I started eating quite healthily. She doesn't drink that much so I wasn't drinking," he said. "I think that all changed things."

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 - open from Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm or visit www.mind.org.uk.

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