British singers who took big breaks from music - Sorry fans, Ed Sheeran won't release an album next year. The 'Shape of You' singer cleared the air in a recent interview, also hinting he wants to make a movie. Let's be honest, he's not the only one that's taken a break between albums. From Adele to Steps, British artists have always needed a break every now and then.

© Getty Images

Sam Smith -

After blowing up with singles like ‘Stay With Me’, Sam Smith went into hiding for three years. Last year, he returned to release new album ‘The Thrill of It All’.

© Getty Images

Adele -

“I am f****** off for four or five years”, Adele announced to Vogue back in 2012. The singer is known for big breaks, and could return with a new album at any minute.

© Getty Images

One Direction -

One Direction were prolific back in the day, but since their split, they’ve been quiet. Who knows when the One Direction will ever end.

© Getty Images

Rita Ora -

Things look pretty fishy for Rita Ora, who has yet to release a sophomore album. Her debut, ‘Ora’, was released back in 2012.

© Getty Images

Busted -

Busted were on top of the UK with albums like ‘Busted’ and ‘A Present for Everyone’. However, they took a 13-year break after that, finally returning with ‘Night Driver’ in 2016.

© Getty Images

Steps -

Steps seemed to be over when H & Claire left the group in 2001. However, they came back over a decade later, releasing ‘Light Up the World’ in 2012.

© Getty Images

Ed Sheeran -

The most successful musician of 2017, Ed Sheeran usually waits three years between his records.

© Getty Images

Sir Elton John -

Sir Elton John waited 13 years between ‘The Captain & the Kid’ in 2003, and ‘The Diving Board’ in 2013. “It's all about the kids now [...] they are the most important things in my life”, Elton has said, as reported by Official Charts.

© Getty Images

Take That -

Everyone thought it was over for Take That, after ex-member Robbie Williams became a world famous entertainer. However, they had the comeback of all comebacks in 2006, with their hit album ‘Beautiful World’.

© Getty Images

George Harrison -

Harrison’s album ‘Brainwashed’ was released a year after he died. It was his first solo album since 1987.

© Getty Images

David Bowie -

The late David Bowie waited 10 years between ‘Reality’ (2003) and ‘The Next Day’ (2013). He released his last album, ‘Blackstar’, in 2016.

© Getty Images

Paul McCartney -

The ex-Beatle is pretty prolific, but has waited more than five years between his studio albums.

© Getty Images

The Rolling Stones -

The Rolling Stones never seem to disappear. However, they waited nine years to release their hit album ‘Blue & Lonesome’.

© Getty Images

Kate Bush -

Bush left the spotlight after releasing ‘The Red Shoes’ in 1993. She returned 12 years later, with the double disc ‘Aerial’.

© Getty Images

Sade -

This legendary singer is known for being secretive, and waited 10 years between ‘Lovers Rock’ and comeback album, ‘Soldier of Love’.

© Getty Images

Pink Floyd -

The psychedelic band called it quits in 1994. In 2014, they came back for one last hurrah, with number one album ‘The Endless River’.

© Getty Images

Black Sabbath -

Black Sabbath were pretty prolific up until 1995, when members left and the band went on hiatus. In 2013, they returned with their final album, ‘13’.

© Getty Images

Blur -

From 2003 to 2015, Damon Albarn stepped away from Blur and grew fond of Gorillaz.

© Getty Images

My Bloody Valentine -

My Bloody Valentine almost bankrupted their label with album ‘Loveless’. 21 years later, they came back with a vengeance with ‘MBV’ in 2013.

© Getty Images

David Gilmour -

The Pink Floyd member released one album in the ‘70s and the ‘80s. Then, he took a 22-year break before releasing ‘On an Island’ in 2006.

© Getty Images

Aphex Twin -

Electronic musician Aphex Twin seemed to have had enough in 2001. However, he decided to come back in 2014, releasing the critically-acclaimed ‘Syro’.

© Getty Images

Slowdive -

Shoegaze band Slowdive released ‘Pygmalion’ in 1995. After label problems, the band kept things low, before returning in 2017 with a self-titled comeback album.

© Getty Images

The Verve -

Believe it or not, The Verve actually broke up twice. Their 1997 album ‘Urban Hymns’ was finally followed up with ‘Forth’ in 2008.

© Getty Images

Leftfield -

Electro band Leftfield didn’t release a sequel to Rhythm and Stealth (1999) for 15 years, before deciding on a comeback in 2015.  

© Getty Images

Portishead -

The “trip-hop” band were popular in the ‘90s, yet Portishead still waited 10 and a half years to release ‘Third’ in 2008.

© Getty Images

Johnny Hates Jazz -

Johnny Hates Jazz had a good run, calling for a break back in 1991. However, the band reunited decades later, and released comeback album ‘Magnetized’ in 2013.

© Getty Images

Suede -

The Mercury Prize winners spent 10 years crafting their album ‘Bloodsports’, which was released in 2013.

© Getty Images

Ride -

Rock band Ride were a hit in the ‘90s, releasing four acclaimed albums. After falling out, they returned 21 years later with ‘Weather Diaries’.  

© Getty Images

The Pop Group -

Don’t let their name deceive you, The Pop Group is an experimental outfit with some of the weirdest music out there. They followed up their 1980 album in 2015, with ‘Citizen Zombie’.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

© Wikimedia/Creative Commons

The Jesus and Mary Chain -

Members from The Jesus and Mary Chain went separate ways in the late ‘90s. They returned 18 years later, with the record ‘Damage and Joy’.

© Getty Images

Budgie -

From 1971 to 1982, Welsh band Budgie dropped 10 albums in 11 years. Their next, ‘You’re All Living in Cuckooland’, would come 24 years later.

(Photos: Wikimedia/Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0/CC BY-SA 3.0)

© Wikimedia/Creative Commons