The popular singer songwriter of such hits as “Shape of You” and “Lego House” has recently opened up about his bike accident which resulted in him cancelling several shows. Sheeran expressed that there was more he had been struggling with than simply recovering from his accident; things that ultimately caused him to take a year off from the music industry.

 

In an interview with Jonathan Ross, Sheeran explained that the accident was a “wake up call.” After the initial accident, Sheeran dusted himself off not thinking much of what had happened. It was not until the next morning that Sheeran would discover both of his arms broken as a result of the crash.

 

Sheeran told Ross that he simply continued on his way to the pub and drank the night away. Upon awaking the next morning, he now felt excruciating pain in both of his arms. It was only then that he went to the hospital.

 

Sheeran realized that it was the alcohol which was masking the injuring the night he had the accident, and continued to explain that he had been struggling with substance abuse for some time. Due to the incident, Sheeran was forced to cancel several shows in Asia when doctors informed him that if he did not take time off, he may never be able to play the guitar again.

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Sheeran said that becoming famous exposed him to the many vices that come with stardom.

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"All the pitfalls that people read about, I just found myself slipping into all of them," he said during his interview with Ross.

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"Mostly like, substance abuse." "I never touched anything," Sheeran claimed. "I started slipping into it and that's why I took a year off and buggered off."

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Sheeran said that his work and music were paramount to his avoidance of any harmful temptations.

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"I focused on work and I can't work under the influence," he said. "I can't write songs under the influence, I can't perform under the influence, so the more I worked, the less that happened."

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Sheeran also revealed that his girlfriend was a huge part in his ability to steer clear of anything detrimental to his health. Cherry Seaborn, Sheeran’s former high school sweetheart, is regarded as a key factor in helping Sheeran stay on a good path. The two currently live together, according to Sheeran.

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Sheeran appears to have seen the errors of his ways, and is grateful for making it past this hurdle in his career. Only time will tell if he will be able to stay clean and continue with his success in the industry.