Ellie Goulding Says She’s Taking Some Time to Herself Following Her Split From Dougie Poynter

Ellie Goulding (Photo: Getty Images)

In a revealing new interview with The Sun, Ellie Goulding says she’s had a difficult couple of weeks and that she’s ready to have some time to herself. Granted, that won’t be possible for a while as her ongoing Delirium World Tour continues through October.

“People think I’m invincible but these past few weeks have been tough,” Goulding says. “I’m not in a relationship any more and that’s been hard.”

Goulding had been dating McFly bassist Dougie Poynter since 2014, but tells The Sun that the strain of their work schedules proved to be too much and the couple has split up. Now, she says, she needs to take some time alone.

“I’m not writing new stuff,” she admits. “I’m not sure when I’ll release a new album. It might not even be next year. I need time off for my own head.”

Fans, of course, reacted strongly to the news that Goulding is going away for a bit. In a tweet, Goulding reassured those who were upset that she’ll be back.

Goulding and Poynter split up briefly in late 2015, but got back together. This time, she says, is for good. However the two remain close.

Dougie Poynter and Ellie Goulding (Photo: Getty Images)

“Dougie is one of the most special people in the world and I’m so happy for him,” she says. “He’s doing well in LA and he’s still one of my best friends. I know he feels the same.”

On the cover of Seventeen, Goulding opens up about some of her past relationships, including rumors that at one point Ed Sheeran and Niall Horan were fighting over her. When it comes to Horan, yeah, they dated a little bit.

“We went on a few dates, and it was really fun,” she says. “He’s a really, really lovely guy. He’s got the biggest sense of humor, he’s very caring, and I see him as a genuine friend in the industry.”

As for Sheeran, it’s just not true.

“We’ve known each other for a few years,” she says. “I think he’s a really nice guy and a brilliant musician. We’ve bumped into each other and we’ve hung out and stuff, but the thing is if I hang out with someone, it’s instantly like I’m ‘dating’ them. We were never in a relationship. My song is not about him.”

It was reported that Goulding’s song “On My Mind” — specifically the lyric “You wanted my heart, but I just liked your tattoos” — was about him.

But it’s not just the breakup that’s got Goulding down. Touring is taking its toll on her.

“I’ve toured seven years non-stop,” she tells The Sun. “If you do too much of something, it can turn into something you feel like you have to do and it’s not as enjoyable as it could be.”

Some R&R sounds like it’s in order.