Honestly, if you walked past Ed Sheeran on the street back in 2011, you probably wouldn’t have guessed he was hiding a literal museum under his hoodie. For years, the "Shape of You" singer was the poster child for the "unassuming guy next door." He wore baggy flannels. He lived in oversized hoodies. Basically, he was just a ginger kid with a guitar.
Then came 2017.
When the Ed Sheeran no shirt moment finally happened in the "Shape of You" music video, the internet collectively lost its mind. It wasn't just that he was showing skin; it was the fact that his entire torso looked like a coloring book. From a massive lion on his chest to ketchup bottles and Lego heads, the sheer volume of ink was staggering. But here’s the thing: Ed actually didn't want to do it.
The "Shape of You" Reveal: Why He Was Uncomfortable
The world saw a confident, boxing-fit version of Ed in that video. Behind the scenes? He was actually pretty terrified.
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He’s been very vocal about the fact that going shirtless wasn't his idea. It was the director’s call, Jason Koenig. Ed told Us Weekly that the decision happened at the very last minute. He felt exposed. He wasn't a "gym guy" by trade, and the idea of being shirtless for millions of people to scrutinize was, in his words, "not something I was comfortable with."
So, why did it look so good? Lighting.
Ed credits the way the scene was lit for making him look "cool" rather than awkward. But that moment served as a catalyst. It forced him to confront his body image in a way he hadn't before. It wasn't just about vanity; it was about the transition from a teenager who ate whatever he wanted to a global superstar who had to survive three-hour stadium sets.
The Transformation: From "Beer and Kebabs" to Reformer Pilates
If you look at Ed Sheeran now, specifically in his 2025 Men’s Health cover or his viral TikTok "morning routine" parodies, he looks different. He looks, well, "aging in reverse," as fans put it.
The transition wasn't an overnight Hollywood "shred." It was a slow burn fueled by two things: fatherhood and the grueling Mathematics Tour.
- The Weight Loss: Ed has lost over 30 lbs (about 14kg) since his peak weight.
- The Motivation: It wasn't about a six-pack. It was about being able to pick up his daughters, Lyra and Jupiter, without his back giving out.
- The Routine: He swapped the "tour diet" of pizza and beer for a mix of weight training, running, and—surprisingly—reformer Pilates.
He’s admitted to being a "binge everything" kind of person. If he’s drinking, he’s drinking. if he’s eating, he’s eating. He told Rolling Stone in 2023 that he struggled with body image issues for years, often comparing himself to the toned pop stars he shared the charts with.
"I'm a pizza-eating, beer-guzzling smoker underneath it all," he told Men's Health in late 2025. But being a dad in his 30s changed the math. He realized that if he wanted to feel "superhuman" on stage, he couldn't live like he was 19 anymore.
What’s Actually On His Chest? (The Tattoo Map)
When people search for Ed Sheeran no shirt, they aren't just looking for muscles. They’re looking for the stories. Every single piece of ink on his body is a milestone.
The Lion
This is the big one. It covers his entire chest. Why a lion? To celebrate selling out three consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium in 2015. The lion is the crest of the English national football team (the Three Lions), and since Wembley is their home, it felt right. He doesn't care if people think it’s "ugly." It’s his memory.
The Mathematics Symbols
You’ll see $+$, $\times$, $\div$, and $-$ scattered around his wrists and arms. These were planned as far back as 2010. He had the vision for his career decades before the world caught on.
The Personal Bits
- Three Boxing Gloves: For his grandfather, who was a boxer, and for his three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden.
- A Ketchup Bottle: Because he’s obsessed with Heinz.
- A Puss in Boots: A nod to his song "Wake Me Up."
- A Snowflake: For the time he spent touring with Snow Patrol.
He once told Charlie Rose that he looks forward to being 80 years old, sitting with his grandkids, and using his body as a map to tell his life story. To him, there are no "pointless" tattoos.
The 2025 "Morning Routine" Satire
In March 2025, Ed went shirtless again, but this time it was for a joke. He posted a TikTok parodying fitness influencer Ashton Hall. He dunked his face in ice-cold Saratoga water and brushed his teeth with hot sauce.
Fans were shocked. Not by the hot sauce, but by how fit he looked.
At 34, he’s leaner than he was at 24. He’s been working with trainer Matt Kendrick, who even traveled on the road with him during the later legs of his tour. They focused on "compound lifts"—squats, bench presses, and deadlifts—to build functional strength.
But he hasn't turned into a "gym bro" robot. He still loves red wine. He still eats the pasta. He just runs it off with his wife, Cherry Seaborn, every morning.
Lessons From Ed’s Journey
Ed Sheeran’s relationship with his body is relatable because it’s messy. He didn't start out with a six-pack. He started as a guy who felt "gross" looking in the mirror and decided to make a change for his family.
If you’re looking to replicate his results, here is the "Ed Sheeran Blueprint" for health:
- Moderation over Deprivation: Don't cut out the things you love (like beer or pizza), just don't have them every day.
- Find a "Why" beyond the Mirror: For Ed, it was his kids. Having a functional reason to be fit makes the gym much less of a chore.
- Vary the Movement: He does yoga, swimming, and Pilates. Keeping it fresh prevents burnout.
- Own Your Story: Whether it’s tattoos or scars, your body is a record of where you’ve been. Don't be afraid to show it—even if you need some "cool lighting" to feel comfortable at first.
The next time you see a photo of Ed Sheeran without a shirt, remember it’s not just a "pop star" moment. It's the result of a decade of balancing fame, fatherhood, and a very permanent collection of ink.
Actionable Insight: If you're struggling with body image or fitness consistency, take a page from Ed’s book: start with a 20-minute daily run. He credits running with being the "melody" of his health—the one thing everything else is built upon. It’s free, it’s simple, and it’s the exact place he started his transformation.