British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has revealed that the reason he didn't write with One Direction for their last studio album was because of silly 'music industry politics'.

During an interview with Digital Spy, the 'Sing' superstar admitted that Simon Cowell explained it all to him and it came down to a 'political' issue, but he has been asked to pen tracks for their next effort:

"I got called into Simon Cowell's room at Britain's Got Talent. There was some sort of political thing on the last record as to why I didn't get asked and he was explaining that. He basically just said, 'We need some songs', so I'm seeing him next week."

He went onto add that he has also been writing for a string of other impressive artists: “I know I said I wouldn't do any more writing for other people, but I just fell into a few sessions over the past couple of months. I did a tune with Jessie Ware, one with Usher and Skrillex, one for Hilary Duff and one for Rixton. I've got those four cuts coming this year, so I thought I just want to have more coming! Demi expressed interest a year ago and I just followed it up."

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Listen to Sheeran's new song 'Afire Love' below: