Scottish DJ Calvin Harris has formally addressed his relationship with ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift for the first time in a candid interview with GQ magazine.

Harris, who split from Swift in May this year after 15 months of dating, revealed their breakup was stressful due to its very public nature.

“The aftermath of the relationship was way more heavily publicised than the relationship itself,” Harris told the magazine.

“When we were together, we were very careful for it not to be a media circus. She respected my feelings in that sense.”

The intense scrutiny was likely heightened by news of Swift’s subsequent relationship with British actor Tom Hiddleston, with whom she was photographed a mere two weeks after splitting from Harris.

Almost simultaneously, reports emerged that Swift had written Harris’s hit song This is What You Came For, leading many to question Harris’s music ability.

Harris, who responded by tweeting some less-than-complimentary thoughts about Swift, said he regrets his knee-jerk reaction.

“It was completely the wrong instinct. I was protecting what I see as my one talent in the world being belittled,” Harris told GQ.

“It felt like things were piling on top of me and that was when I snapped. I’m not good at being a celebrity, but when it ended, all hell broke loose.

“Now I see that Twitter thing as a result of me succumbing to pressure,” Harris said.

“It took me a minute to realise that none of that matters. I’m a positive guy.”

Swift and Hiddleston announced their separation this week after three months of dating. People magazine reported it was an “amicable split”.