Ed Sheeran returns to social media after year-long hiatus

Ed Sheeran made a mysterious return to social media on Tuesday (13Dec16) following his year-long hiatus.

The Thinking Out Loud announced on 13 December, 2015 he would be taking a break from his "phone, emails and all social media" until the following autumn so he could travel, enjoy his time off and work on his third album.

On Tuesday, exactly a year after that message, Ed made his return by cryptically turning his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram blue. He turned all his profile pictures and Facebook cover photo to a light blue and upload a blue square as a picture post on Twitter and Instagram.

Ed provided no explanation for his uploads but the changes have prompted fans to think he is gearing up to release the follow-up to his 2014 album X.

His frequent collaborator Amy Wadge told BBC Newsbeat his record "is done" and Ed will "break the internet" when it comes out "really soon".

Explaining the reason behind his social media break last year (15), he wrote, "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 missed."

He thanked his fans for "being amazing" and told them his third album is "the best thing I have made thus far."

The 25-year-old has remained largely out of the spotlight in the past year, but made a return to live performing in November (16) a charity gig in London, where he reportedly told the crowd, "It's nice to be back. I've had a whole year off. I went to Japan for about a month and hung out with Japanese people."

He also reportedly made a joke about the scar on his face from a cut he sustained at a party in November (16) when British royal Princess Beatrice caught him on the cheek with a ceremonial sword while pretending to 'knight' singer James Blunt.

Ed also co-wrote When Christmas Comes Around, for the winner of Britain's The X Factor, as well as Cold Water, by Major Lazer, Justin Bieber and MO.