Ed Sheeran has apologised after claiming he is responsible for ginger guys having more sex.

The 'Bloodstream' hitmaker has taken to Twitter to defend himself after he joked that flame-haired males like himself were having more fun in the bedroom since he found fame and became an unlikely sex symbol.

He recently said: ''There are a lot of ginger dudes in England who are using me.

''That's why I'm not hating on it. You know what, we're finally getting laid! This is a good thing.

''There are loads of ginger people in England who are smashing it and having a lot of fun.''

However, the 24-year-old singer has since brushed off his remark and apologised for offending anyone in the process.

He wrote on the social media site: ''Every tongue and cheek comment I've been making recently makes news and is taken seriously. Apologies for any offence caused in it.

''But lighten up.''

During the revealing interview, Ed also confessed his team are often contacted by women who mistakenly think they have slept with him.

He said: ''We did get this random e-mail to my manager to this girl, while we were on tour in America.

''It was like 'I think I slept with Ed last night at a festival, but I can't remember if it was him or not. If it was him, tell him he's an a**hole and if it wasn't, tell him I'm sorry for this e-mail. This was like a couple of weeks ago.''