Ed Sheeran reveals drug 'habit' and recovery ahead of Disney+ docuseries

Ed Sheeran vowed to quit drugs in the wake of the death of his best friend Jamal Edwards.

The A Team singer, 32, was so shattered by the February 2022 passing of music producer Jamal – who died aged 31 after a cardiac arrest brought on by cocaine and alcohol – he said he decided never to “touch (drugs) again”.

He told Rolling Stone: “I would never, ever, ever touch anything again, because that’s how Jamal died.

“And that’s just disrespectful to his memory to even, like, go near.”

Ed Sheeran and his late friend Jamal Edwards. Photo / Instagram

Ed added about falling into drug use: “I remember just being at a festival and being like, ‘Well, if all of my friends do it, it can’t be that bad.’

“And then sort of dabbling. And then it just turns into a habit that you do once a week and then once a day and then, like, twice a day and then, like, without booze. It just became bad vibes.”

Ed, who has daughters Lyra, two, and 10-month-old Jupiter with his 30-year-old wife Cherry Seaborn, also said he stopped drinking hard liquor as he never wanted to be “p*****” and holding one of his kids and due to a wake-up call from his partner.

He added: “I was always a drinker. I didn’t touch any sort of like, drug, until I was 24.

“Two months before Lyra was born, Cherry said, ‘If my waters break, do you really want someone else to drive me to the hospital?’

Ed Sheeran and wife Cherry Seaborn. Photo / Instagram

“Because I was just drinking a lot. And that’s when it clicked. I was like, ‘No, actually, I really don’t.’

“And I don’t ever want to be p***** holding my kid. Ever, ever.

“Having a couple of beers is one thing. But having a bottle of vodka is another thing. It’s just a realization of, ‘I’m getting into my thirties. Grow up! You’ve partied, you’ve had this experience. Be happy with that and just be done.’

“I love red wine, and I love beer. I don’t know any old rockers that aren’t alcoholics or sober, and I didn’t want to be either.”

Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All is available to stream on Disney + on May 3.

Where to get help

Alcohol and Drug Helpline: Call 0800 787 797 or visit alcoholdrughelp.org.nz

- Bang! Showbiz