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There are not many people has time to give an interview to. Radio 1 and GQ are among the lucky few he has chatted to ahead of the release of his third album, ÷.

he skirted round the important topics, telling Nick: "Ask me anything and I'll just refuse to give you a straight answer."

When speaking to GQ, he told them he just wanted to be the biggest pop star on the planet.

That's a pretty big statement for a 25 year old from Suffolk, but how true is it? Is Ed the biggest male pop star on the planet?

The only thing that has stopped Ed's new single, Castle On The Hill getting to No.1 across the world has been Ed's other single, Shape Of You. He dropped two new singles in January (one of which was written with in mind) and secured his place as one of the world's biggest stars.

As well as chart-topping singles, he has also sold an extraordinary number of albums during his short career. +, released in 2011 has sold upwards of 5.2 million copies, while his 2014 album x has shifted more than 9.2 million copies.

Even he admits the only thing that will stop new record ÷ hitting No.1 and becoming one of the biggest albums of 2017 is a surprise release from . And that's not really her vibe.

So what about ? Surely he can stake a claim as the world's biggest male pop star.

His Purpose tour (which is still going, FYI) has taken more than $158m (£126m) and the singles from the album of the same name elevated him from teen pop star to proper global phenomenon. Although, Ed Sheeran did write one of them, so points deducted for that.

Purpose is also his best-selling album, shifting more than 4.5 million copies, less than half of Ed's best-selling release.

Perhaps they can argue it out when they team up for Justin's next album, which he has recently hinted he is already working on.

If the original of pop music hadn't proved so successful in other areas of his life (acting, being a great dad and husband etc) then perhaps he could still rival Ed to the title in question.

Despite his multi-million selling 2016 hit, Can't Stop The Feeling, music has taken a back seat for JT in recent years, despite ridiculous sales of his early albums.

Debut album Justified and second record FutureSex/LoveSounds sold more than 10 million copies each (putting Ed's sales to shame) while The 20/20 Experience shifted another 6 million.

But right here, right now? Ed takes the crown.

Ed Sheeran is still a young pup, but even he has to worry about the next generation of pop stars taking his spot at the top of the pile.

We doubt is causing him many sleepless nights at the moment (he's yet to sell more than a million copies of an album) but in terms of sheer talent, momentum and fan base, Mr Mendes must also be eyeing a future GQ cover as the biggest male star in pop himself.

Can Ed Sheeran top in the pop world? He's married to a Kardashian, makes headlines every time he opens his mouth and may even run for president of the United States in 2020, after all.

Kanye has sold more than 21 million albums during his 13 year career and an estimated 66 million downloads.

We think Kanye would probably have a thing or two about to say Ed Sheeran being the biggest male star on the planet and he'd probably deliver it in a 20 minute rant during one of his sold out stadium shows.

The 2 million plus copies of Beauty Behind The Madness has sold in the US is pretty respectable and his new record Starboy is also doing the business (I Feel It Coming - what a tune).

But The Weeknd is taking things slow, steady and mysterious when it comes to his career.

He's not the sort to court the attention, not when he's busy deciding between the likes of and Bella Hadid in his personal life anyway.

So is Ed Sheeran the biggest male pop star on the planet? GQ (and Ed) may have a point, you know...