Ed Sheeran tells sweet story about his first EVER performance

"I suddenly got this buzz of like, oh I could do something"

Ed Sheeran
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 23rd Nov 2021

Ed Sheeran is known for his Number 1 selling songs and albums, and selling out arenas around the world, but it wasn't always that way. Joining us backstage at Hits Live Liverpool, the 'Beautiful People' singer told us a sweet story about his first school performance.

Next year, Hits Live will have THREE incredible shows, as we head to Liverpool on the 20th May 2022, Manchester on the 11th November 2022 and Birmingham on the 12th November 2022. Buy next year's tickets at this year's prices now!

Speaking to Fleur, James and Matt, Ed revealed his first ever performance was when he was 11-years-old, at school. "It was 'Layla', Derek and the Dominos, but it was the Eric Clapton acoustic unplugged version," Ed reminisced.

"I was 11 and it was the school talent show and me and my best mate, Dan, had rehearsed it. He played piano, and they couldn't put the piano on stage. So, it was like all the way over there. So, we started playing and no one could hear Dan. So, then they just went, 'Let's just cut him out.'

"Which I'm sorry Dan. So, I remember being really nervous about going on stage, crying to my dad before I went in school. 'I don't want to do it'."

Despite being nervous, Ed went ahead with the performance and when it was over, he said, "I suddenly got this buzz of like, oh I could do something. So that was like my first time."

And if you want to know what happened to Dan, take a look at the video interview above. It's a happy ending. 😊

Now take a look at the on stage photos from Hits Live Liverpool:

Joel Corry


Joel Corry


Joel Corry


Joel Corry


Joel Corry


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Mabel


Ella Henderson


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ed Sheeran


Ella Henderson


Ella Henderson


Ella Henderson


Ella Henderson


Mimi Webb


Mimi Webb


Mimi Webb


Mimi Webb


Mimi Webb


Mimi Webb


Tom Grennan


Fleur East


Fleur East


Becky Hill


Becky Hill


Becky Hill


Becky Hill


Becky Hill


The Script


The Script


The Script


The Script


The Script




The Script


Sarah-Jane Crawford


Ed joined us at Hits Live Liverpool where he performed his biggest hits, alongside a sold out line-up of artists including The Script, Mimi Webb, Mabel, Becky Hill, Joel Corry, Tom Grennan and Ella Henderson.

During the interview, the BRIT Award-winning artist revealed that there's an unusual 'guest star' in his new Christmas video which he recorded with Sir Elton John. He also exclusively confirmed which classic videos he's parodied in the upcoming music video.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran reveals unusual 'guest star' in his new Christmas video

EXCLUSIVE: Ed Sheeran reveals classic videos he's parodied in Xmas song with Elton John

Ed Sheeran's career journey: From street busker to global superstar

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