Ed Sheeran announces break from recording new music for an unexpected career change

Ed Sheeran has announced he will pause recording his new album to introduce a new music initiative for young people.

The 33-year-old singer, who has previously topped the charts with seven major albums, including his record-breaking 2017 release Divide, is shifting his focus.

Ed has now shared his plans to launch a new program aimed at enhancing funding for music lessons in schools nationwide.

The hitmaker has previously donated millions to his alma mater, Thomas Mills High in Suffolk, after his former teacher reached out to him about funding cuts in 2018.

Speaking about the scheme, he said, “I started doing that in the county I'm from, and we've just now changed to doing it nationwide.”

“I'm now visiting more high schools that really need music funding and you can see what a difference it makes.”

“I'm not an academic person – in the real world I would be viewed as stupid. But I excelled at music and therefore people think I'm good at something.”

“'I found it massively helpful to be at a state-funded school that really encouraged that. They've basically cut funding for that in England so I'm doing what I can to get funding for it.”

Ed was believed to have donated £170,000 to his old school in 2020 to support art and music programs.

It is reported that the singer made these contributions to help discover the next global superstar who could follow in his footsteps.