Ed Sheeran earned nearly £70 million in 2019 despite taking a break from recording music, thanks to the record-breaking success of his tour.
The hitmaker, 29, was netting the equivalent of £200,000 a day, after taking to the road for his worldwide Divide tour throughout 2019.
It comes after Ed delighted fans on Monday by announcing the release of a surprise new track Afterglow, but his comeback has proved fleeting as he said he’d be returning to his break to focus on life as a new dad.
He’s in the money! Ed Sheeran earned nearly £70 million in 2019 despite taking a break from recording music, thanks to the record-breaking success of his tour
According to The Sun, documents filed by Ed’s company Nathan Cable Touring reveal a £70 million turnover and profits of £37 million, equalling around £200,000 a day to the year ending 31 March 2020.
Companies House documents also reveal his firm Ed Sheeran Ltd, which handle the money made from the writing, recording and production of his music, also made a £29 million profit last year.
Ed’s Divide Tour, which ended in his hometown of Ipswich in August 2019, became the highest-grossing music tour ever, earning £607 million over 255 shows.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Ed Sheeran for comment.
Big money! The hitmaker netted the equivalent of £200,000 a day, after taking to the road for his worldwide Divide tour throughout 2019 (pictured in the video for his song Afterglow)
Ed, who is thought to be worth around £200 million, delighted fans on Monday when he released a new song titled Afterglow.
The singer insisted it wasn’t the predecessor to a new album and he’d be returning to his break from the spotlight.
He’s since shared the uplifting song which is available on all major streaming services along with the music video, a one-take performance of the track.
On Instagram Ed wrote: ‘Hey guys. Afterglow is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you. It’s not the first single from the next album, it’s just a song I love, and hope you love too.
‘Enjoy! Have a safe and happy festive break and New Year’s. Back to dad land for me now, ciao x (sic)’
Time away: Ed announced he’d be stepping back from performing a year ago in order to prioritise his family life (pictured in 2019)
It marked the first new material from Ed since the 2019 album, No.6 Collaborations Project, which featured the likes of Stormzy, Khalid, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Eminem, and comes a year after the singer-songwriter announced his hiatus from music.
Ed’s teasing post on Sunday sent his fans into meltdown as they claimed the musician was ‘saving 2020’.
Ed announced his break from the spotlight last year, and welcomed his first child with wife Cherry Seaborn, daughter Lyra, in August.
It comes after Ed hinted he’ll be returning to music ‘very soon’ earlier this week following his ‘extended break’ from the industry.
The musician announced he’d be stepping back from performing last year, in order to prioritise his family life.
Sending fans wild, the artist responded to speculation he’s set to make a comeback on social media earlier this week as he wrote: ‘All very valid questions, but you’ll know at least one answer soon.’ (sic)
Happy news: He and his wife Cherry Seaborn announced the arrival of their first child on Instagram at the beginning of September after keeping Cherry’s pregnancy a secret
Ed and his longtime partner shared the arrival of their daughter on Instagram at the beginning of September after keeping Cherry’s pregnancy a secret right up until a few weeks before Lyra’s birth.
Revealing that the hockey player had given birth the week before, the A Team star wrote: ‘Ello! A quick message from me as I have some personal news that I wanted to share with you…
‘Last week, with the help of an amazing delivery team, Cherry gave birth to our beautiful and healthy daughter – Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran.
‘We are completely in love with her. Both mum and baby are doing amazing and we are on cloud nine over here.
‘We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time. Lots of love and I’ll see you when it’s time to come back, Ed x.’
Family first: The Halifax native became a father for the first time in August when he welcomed his daughter Lyra Antarctic with Cherry (pictured in 2017)