'Everything I did, I got a very lukewarm reaction!' Ed Sheeran opens up on why he took that year-long career break

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In December 2015, British star Ed Sheeran shocked fans when she announced he was taking a year-long break from his career and social media. 

And on The Project on Monday, the hit maker opened up about his decision to step away from the limelight and music for a while. 

The 25-year-old said getting a 'lukewarm reaction' from people with his career moves, influenced his decision. 

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'I was getting a lukewarm reaction': On Monday, hit maker Ed Sheeran opened up about his decision to step away from the limelight and music for a year

'I just felt like everything I did, I got a very lukewarm reaction by the end of it,' Ed said. 

'I was like here's a new song. And people were like, ''ah, great,'' changing the tone of his voice to say it negatively. 

He added about releasing new music this year: 'But you disappear for a year and then people are kind of hungry for it again.'

'I rented a Mini and drove up the coast': The humble star - who is known for hits including Drunk and Lego House - said he enjoyed his time off, spending some time in Australia

'But I'm sure I'll get to the end of this campaign and people will be like ''yeah, cool,'' making the gesture of people shooing him away. 

The humble star - who is known for hits including Drunk and Lego House - said he enjoyed his time off, spending some time in Australia. 

'I rented a Mini and drove up the coast,' he said, saying he avoided being seen by avoiding the typical celebrity haunts. 

He added he didn't miss singing while on his break.  

Time off: He added he didn't miss singing while on his break (seen in Las Vegas in May 2015)

'Not for the first bit, but I found myself going to concerts and having withdrawal symptoms from it, but I didn't really miss it that much.'

'But I got back and when I started putting the album together, I was like, ''I can't remember the lyrics to my own songs.'' Because you sing them every single day, and then the moment you stop doing it, it's like exercising everyday, the moment you stop doing it, it just disappears.' 

When Ed announced his career break, he shared a lengthy post to his social media channels. 

'I've had an amazing ride': When Ed announced his career break, he shared a lengthy post to his social media channels

'Hello all. I'm taking a break from my phone, emails and all social media for a while, I've had such an amazing ride over the last five years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes so I'm taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I miss.'

'To my family and friends, if you love me you will understand me buggering off for a bit, to my fans, the third album is on its way and is the best thing I have made thus far. See you all next autumn, and thank you for being amazing, Ed x.'

Ed is dating Cherry Seaborn, who he has known since school and who travelled Australia with him on his break.

Going strong: Ed is dating Cherry Seaborn, who he has known since school and who traveled Australia with him on his break

Ed recently opened up about his girlfriend during an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music's Beats 1 radio.

He admitted he 'wanted to be a dad' for the past year and is ready to start having 'chubby babies'. 

He said: 'This has been the first time I've ever actually had the time to fall in love properly.'

'I've always got into relationships very passionate - I'm a redhead and also Irish. But then I will get in a relationship and go on tour for 18 months and everything will f**k up.

'And I'm like, "Oh, what happened?" But it's because I had no time to put into someone.' 

Sweet: He admitted he 'wanted to be a dad' for the past year and is ready to start having 'chubby babies'