'Hello 2017': Ed Sheeran promises new music in five days' time... as he appears on social media for the first time in 57 weeks

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His face has not appeared on social media for one year and five weeks.

But Ed Sheeran posted a silent video to tease his third album on the first day of the new year, promising fans new music on Friday.

Marking 57 weeks of social media absence, the redheaded chart-topper finally put paid to speculation that he was due to make a long-awaited musical comeback in 2017.

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New music coming: Ed Sheeran broke his social media silence on Sunday to tease fans with the exact date of his comeback

His post, simply captioned 'Hello 2017', featured a playful Ed holding a handwritten sign saying: 'New music coming Friday!!'

Without speaking on the 12-second clip, Ed gives a wave to his 6m followers before rolling his eyes and holding the sign in his mouth for comedy effect.

Ed officially broke his social media silence two weeks ago with a picture of a bright blue square, which led some to speculate that the theme of his musical offerings would run through to his third album.

His debut album, entitled '+', came out in 2011 while his second, called 'x', was released in 2014. 

Hello 2017: The post was simply captioned with the words 'Hello 2017'

Strictly speaking, it's not the first time that Ed has lent his hand to chart-topping in the last year.

There was a mixed reaction to news that he had penned the winner's single for the X Factor, at the end of 2016.

Ed, along with songwriter Amy Wadge, was the brains behind When Christmas Comes Around, which was released by finalist Matt Terry in December. 

While some argued that hitmaker Ed should have kept the festive number for himself, others were pleased to see that Simon Cowell had chosen the popular songwriter to lend star power to the annual release. 

Cheeky: It was the first he's put up since a mysterious blue square

News of a pop comeback for fan favourite Ed gained traction last month when he was seen filming a music video.

Ed was spotted on location in Suffolk with a younger, red-headed doppleganger, with whom he exchanged garbs while the cameras rolled. 

There has also been reports that solo singer Ed will top the bill at Glastonbury 2017 this June.

The Thinking Out Loud hitmaker has allegedly been secured as the headline act for the world-famous musical festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset. 

Headline act: Ed Sheeran will reportedly make one of his musical dreams come true when he tops the bill at Glastonbury 2017 next June

A source told The Sun newspaper: 'It's going to be a huge moment for the festival having him up there marking his comeback in front of a giant crowd.

'Ed's always said headlining Glastonbury has been a big ambition of his.

'Topping his three sold-out Wembley Stadium shows last year will be tough, but this is as big as it gets.'

MailOnline has contacted Ed's representatives for comment.

A source told The Sun newspaper: 'It's going to be a huge moment for the festival having him up there marking his comeback in front of a giant crowd'

Mystery tweet: The 25-year-old singer previously returned to Instagram and Twitter, exactly a year after announcing he was taking a break from social media with this unexplained, blank post featuring a blue square

Ed will join previously-confirmed headliners Radiohead at the event, while Foo Fighters - who were forced to pull out of the 2015 festival after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg - are expected to be the final headliners.

Ed surprised fans when announced a hiatus at the end of 2015.

His last post detailed how he was going to 'travel the world' before promising his fans he would be back soon to work on his third studio album. 

Message to his fans: Ed announced his musical hiatus att he end of 2015, in which he detailed how he was going to 'travel the world' before promising his fans he would be back soon to work on his third studio album

He wrote on the photo: 'Hello all. I'm taking a break from my phone, emails and all social media for a while, I've had such an amazing ride over the last 5 years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes so I'm taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I've missed.

'To my family and friends, if you love me you will understand me buggering off for a bit, to my fans, the 3rd album is on its way and is the best thing I have made thus far.

'See you all next autumn, and thank you for being amazing. Ed. x (sic)'

The short letter was simply captioned: 'Please read x (sic)'

What a line-up: Ed is said to be joining previously-confirmed headliners Radiohead at the event and Foo Fighters