Ed Sheeran has announced he is taking an extended break from music.

The 28-year-old has played to more than nine million fans since his Divide tour began in March 2017. During the final gig in Ipswich's Chantry Park, the singer confirmed it would be his last show for "probably 18 months." He told fans [via The Sun]:

“As you may or not know, I’ve been on the Divide tour for over two years now and this is the last day of the whole thing. “There is something very bittersweet about it. I love that you guys are here and we are ending it in Ipswich. This is my last gig for probably 18 months.

“We’ve played all around the world. Glastonbury, Wembley Stadium. All these amazing venues, America, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, South America — it’s been a wild one. “I was told before I came on that now at the end of this tour I’ve played to nine million people around the world. It is the biggest tour ever. “It’s been an emotional day for a lot of people backstage. It kind of feels like, in a weird way, that you’re breaking up with a girlfriend that you’ve been with for years. “It sounds odd but it has been a long tour.”

And while it may be goodbye for now, the Shape of You hitmaker has already dropped a massive hint about his comeback - and how it could see him joined by a band. He continued:

“This is a weird one but it might be my last loop pedal tour gig ever. “What I found with the loop station is, I’ve spent my whole life as a one-man performer. But this performance is all of you as well.”