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Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran, singer-songwriter, is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Ed Sheeran. His songs have brought him two Grammys, four Brit awards and global success. Shortly after the release of his latest album, Divide, tracks from it occupied nine of the top 10 places in the UK singles chart.

Born into a creative family, Ed had piano and cello lessons as a youngster and briefly sang in a local church choir. At the age of 11, seeing Eric Clapton play Layla on TV at the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert inspired him to take up the guitar. Ten years later, Ed himself was performing at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert.

Ed left school and home at 16 to focus on playing gigs in London. Despite relentless performing he failed to secure a recording contract and decided to try his luck in America. During a successful stint performing in Los Angeles, he came to the attention of the Academy Award-winning actor and musician Jamie Foxx, and within months of returning to the UK he'd signed a record deal. His first single, The A Team, became a top ten hit around the world and won him an Ivor Novello award, and his second and third albums topped the UK and US charts.

In 2015 he performed at Wembley Stadium as a solo artist for three nights to capacity crowds, and this year he is headlining the Pyramid stage on the final night of Glastonbury.

Producer: Cathy Drysdale.

Available now

50 minutes

Last on

Fri 12 May 2017 09:00

Music Played

  • Derek and the Dominos

    Layla

    • Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
    • Polydor.
  • Van Morrison & The Chieftains

    Carrickfergus

    • Irish Heartbeat.
    • Polydor.
  • Eminem featuring Dido

    Stan

    • R&B Selector.
    • Universal Music.
  • Damien Rice

    Volcano

    • O.
    • Warner Music UK.
  • CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE

    • Nizlopi

      Flooded Quarry

      • Girls.
      • Domino Recording Co.
  • Stevie Wonder

    They WonÂ’t Go When I Go

    • FulfillingnessÂ’ First Finale.
    • Universal-Island Records.
  • Elton John

    Indian Sunset

    • Electricity.
    • Mercury.
  • Foy Vance

    Two Shades of Hope

    • Hope.
    • Chrysalis.
  • BOOK CHOICE

    His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

  • LUXURY ITEM

    A life-time supply of ketchup

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Ed Sheeran
Producer Sarah Taylor

Broadcasts

  • Sun 7 May 2017 11:15
  • Fri 12 May 2017 09:00

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