In a new interview, the' Perfect' singer and Grammy winner talks about being rejected by top dance guru Arlene Phillips as he auditioned for Britannia High when he was 16.

• Nov 6, 2021

AceShowbiz - Ed Sheeran is grateful his acting career ended following an embarrassing TV competition show, because it launched his music career.

The "Perfect" singer was rejected by top dance guru Arlene Phillips as he auditioned for Britannia High when he was 16 and admits at the time he thought his showbusiness dreams were over.

In the recently resurfaced clip, which was shown during Ed's appearance on U.S. show "Today" on Thursday, November 4, Arlene told TV cameras, "Ed clearly doesn't know what he's doing, but he's trying". She also insisted the young wannabe had a lot of talent.

The singer told "Today", "I thought that was the end of my career... I remember not getting it... and being like, 'Well, that's it!'"

"I wanted to be an actor and that (show) was like England's High School Musical, basically. And at that point I said, 'Right, I'm not gonna be an actor, but I'm gonna put... all my energy into music, and I'm so glad I didn't get the part," so the Grammy-winning musician added.

The singer was then surprised with a video message from Arlene. In the video, the dance guru jokingly called herself "the woman who let Ed Sheeran slip through her fingers."

She said, "Ed, I love and adore you and I live for your music."