Ed Sheeran Knows It’s a Little ‘Weird’ He’s Totally Ripped Now After Losing 30 Pounds for His Family

The shape of Ed Sheeran has changed quite a bit in recent years, with the British pop star losing 30 pounds and bulking up on muscle since welcoming children with wife Cherry Seaborn.

In a new Men’s Health cover story published Thursday, Sheeran shared how — and why — he got in shape. The main reason? “I became a dad,” he told the publication. “I remember Lyra was 2 weeks old, and I had my best mate round and we had a bottle of wine.”

“I went to bed, then Lyra woke up 20 minutes after I’d fallen asleep,” continued the singer, who welcomed daughters Lyra and Jupiter in 2020 and 2022, respectively. “I woke up, and I was like, ‘F—, I probably shouldn’t drink if I’m going to feel this dreadful.’ I want to be able to do the night stuff. It all came in at the same time of wanting to be a responsible dad, wanting to feel and look good.”

To slim down, Sheeran says he’s incorporated consistent exercise — even while on tour — and cut back on drinking alcohol. To build strength, he told the magazine he favors a combo of lifting weights, reformer Pilates and going for runs.

It’s quite a different lifestyle from the one the Grammy winner previously led, to the point where Sheeran said he sometimes wonders if his longtime fans won’t connect as much with the person he’s become. “I’ve worried about it,” he said. “I’m the guy people relate to, and I did think, ‘F—, is it weird me being super in shape on a Men’s Health cover?’”

“I do think it’s relatable for parents to suddenly want to be a bit more healthy and follow a bit more of a routine,” he added. “I think, underneath it all, I am a pizza-eating, beer-guzzling smoker, but that’s just not my reality as a parent in my 30s. I think that you have to make good decisions.”

See Sheeran on the cover of Men’s Health below.