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George Ezra says he lived in the back of a van on a farm during lockdown

George Ezra swapped London for somewhere quieter after the first month of lockdown in 2020. (Getty)
George Ezra swapped London for somewhere quieter after the first month of lockdown in 2020. (Getty)

George Ezra used lockdown as an opportunity to swap the trappings of celebrity for a slightly different way of living — spending time in the back of a van on a farm.

The 28-year-old singer-songwriter told The Sun he was considering whether he even wanted to continue with music after the pandemic put a temporary end to live performances.

Read more: George Ezra's mum suggested he lend music to Joe Wicks

After spending the first few weeks of lockdown in his London flat, Ezra said a friend presented him with an opportunity to try something different.

He said: “I’ve got some friends who live on this old farm and I felt very loved because this conspiracy was put together by friends and family to get me back home.

Watch: George Ezra became a bird-watcher during lockdown

“So I did about six weeks living in this van and helping out there. It was just awesome. I was going around on a sit-on lawnmower and walking the dogs.

"Honestly, at that point I felt like I had won the ­lottery — I absolutely loved it.”

Ezra then spent three months camping and also took up bird-watching in an attempt to embrace outdoor pursuits during the pandemic.

Read more: George Ezra performs sitting down after ankle injury

He said the "full-on" experience of touring and promoting his 2018 album Staying at Tamara's left him burnt out and questioning his future as a pop star.

"I’ve managed to get myself into this position where what I love doing as a hobby and a pastime is writing songs," Ezra said.

George Ezra will unveil his third studio album later this year. (Getty/Bauer Media)
George Ezra will unveil his third studio album later this year. (Getty/Bauer Media)

The Shotgun singer added: “But then your Sunday noodling at home is in some way linked to the bigger picture. It’s as a product of loving it that it is full-on.

"In some ways I have to think about longevity. Like, how can I keep this realistic?"

Read more: George Ezra appears on list of richest celebs under 30

Ezra will be back with his third album Gold Rush Kid later this year, which will be accompanied by the film End to End — cataloguing the star and two friends' 95-day trek from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He said: "We were living pretty feral because we camped every night. There were things that were not in any way glamorous."

But despite the lack of red carpet glamour, Ezra described the expedition as "probably the one truly life-changing experience I’ve had".

Watch: George Ezra to perform at Queen's Platinum Jubilee