Ed Sheeran has revealed he has had to hire his own personal minder – because female fans keep grabbing him.

The 24-year-old singer is back on the market after recently admitting he has split up with girlfriend Athina Andrelos, 23.

But red-head Ed told The Sun, his female admirers have been getting a bit too hands-on when he meets them.

Ed Sheeran meets fans in New York (Charles Sykes/AP)
Ed Sheeran meets fans in New York (Charles Sykes/AP)

Ed said: “I’ve been given a security guard for the first time in four years.

“It started getting a little bit grabby. I don’t mind if someone asks politely, but if someone grabs you and pulls you…”

The Thinking Out Loud star admitted on an Australian radio show last week he is single again after breaking up with his girlfriend of about a year.

But he was then spotted on a date at a Sydney burger joint with model and actress Barbara Palvin, who use to date One Direction’s Niall Horan.