James Blunt has said the Covid-19 pandemic had been a “blessing in disguise” for his career in a new interview with Henley Standard.

Blunt was set to head out on tour last year when the coronavirus pandemic halted all live shows. However, for the singer-songwriter, the past year has served as a chance to spend some much-needed time at home.

The Wiltshire artist said: “I was supposed to be on the tour for a year and I was sent home. And, you know, for me that was probably a very good thing because I haven’t spent time at home with my family, ever. I’ve been promising that I would take a year off from music at some stage, but I was lying, probably.He continued: “And so this is very good — to spend time at home, do things that adults do and family people do. And so perhaps it was a blessing in disguise for me.”

James Blunt and his wife Sophia opened their pub, Fox & Pheasant London, just before the Covid-19 pandemic meant the hospitality industry shut their doors. Blunt laughed as he said: “Well, I mean, I’m definitely in the wrong business.” He explained: “With the pandemic the music business completely closed down and all touring stopped.We were just a month into what was supposed to be a world tour and we were sent home, which was obviously devastating. I’m in the pub business too — I bought myself a pub — and obviously that closed down, so I really picked the wrong businesses… That’s why it’s very exciting that we should be preparing to get out on the road again.”

The singer, known best for his 2004 hit “You’re Beautiful,” released his sixth studio album, “Once Upon A Mind”, back in 2019, which he was due to tour the following year. Due to the uncertainty of 2020, the ex-army man pushed his tour dates to Spring and Summer 2021.

Upcoming UK  Tour Dates

02/07/21 – Royal Hall – Douglas, Isle of Man
06/07 – Royal Albert Hall – London
07/07 – International Centre – Bournemouth
09/07 – Pub In The Park – Tunbridge Wells
13/08 – Heritage Live –Saffron Walden
28/08 – Carfest South – Overton
29/08 – Sunshine Festival – Upton Upon Severn
16/09 – Henley Festival – Henley