Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran has revealed he turns to songwriting for therapy when he is feeling low.

The chart-topping Shape of You singer, from Framlingham, said he pens songs to “pick him up” when he is feeling down in an attempt to create something positive out of a negative mood.

He made the remarks during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, set to be broadcast this weekend.

Ed said he pens up to four or five songs a day while in album-making mode – but confessed only 12 out of 100 tracks he writes end up being “good”.

The 26-year-old, who was named on TIME’s 100 most influential people list just over a week ago, has been enjoying several months of success at the top of the UK album and singles charts.

Eighteen tracks from his third album Divide were featured in the top 20 earlier this year – just a few days after the album was released in March.

In a teaser clip released ahead of Sunday’s Desert Island Discs broadcast, the former Thomas Mills High School pupil told host Kirsty Young: “I think it (songwriting) is a form of therapy to be honest.

“I think any time I’ve ever got down or ever felt low the one thing that picks me up from that is writing a song about it because at least you’ve got a positive experience out of a bad experience.”

The Thinking Of You singer added: “I try to write as much as possible.

“If I’m in album-making mode it will be four or five songs a day and there will be no thought process.

“It will be just get a guitar and just write a song.”

Ed, who told BBC Radio 1 that he penned Castle on the Hill as a love song for Suffolk, the county he grew up in, delighted fans earlier this week by posting a video of his number one hit Galway Girl.

Revealing he shot the clip himself, his posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram generated millions of views.

In his role as a castaway on Desert Island Discs, the 26-year-old will choose eight tracks to take to a fictional desert island.

He will also get to pick one luxury item and a book of his choice.

Listen to the show by tuning in to Radio 4 on Sunday at 11.15am.