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Home / Entertainment

Ed Sheeran 'cried everyday' throughout his school life

BANG! Showbiz
25 Mar, 2019 06:58 PM3 mins to read

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Ed Sheeran performs on stage at a festival. Photo / Getty

Ed Sheeran performs on stage at a festival. Photo / Getty

Ed Sheeran was bullied "every day" at school for being ginger, having a stutter, and wearing glasses.

The 28-year-old musician is now a chart-topping superstar, but he has revealed his "quirky" looks as a child made growing up difficult, as he was "instantly ripped into" by his classmates and "cried every day" throughout his school life.

He said: "I hated primary school with a passion; I cried every day. I'm ginger so I was instantly ripped into from the day I started school - ginger, had a stutter, and wore huge glasses ... just a bit odd."

Singer Ed Sheeran poses with his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) medal that was presented to him by the Prince of Wales. Photo / Getty
Singer Ed Sheeran poses with his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) medal that was presented to him by the Prince of Wales. Photo / Getty

The 'Castle on the Hill' hitmaker - who is now married to Cherry Seaborn - beat the bullies by making music, and now doesn't mind the way he looks.

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He added: "But then as I got older I kind of loved it, I've always kind of looked a bit quirky. I never had much luck with girls and stuff like that, it was always I kind of looked a bit weird."

On top of being bullied for his looks, Ed says he wasn't "cool" in school because he "couldn't play sport", and didn't realise his musical talent until he was older.

Speaking in an interview with DJ Nihal and rapper Dave for anti-racism campaign group Love Music Hate Racism, he said: "I got to high school, started playing guitar and joined a band. Music is one of those things that can give you confidence.

"You're suddenly like 'wow, I can actually do something well'. Before I picked up a guitar I did nothing.

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"I went to a primary school that was quite sporty and I couldn't play sport.That was how you were cool - if you were good at football you were cool and I wasn't good at football.

"But then when I joined high school it was such a melting pot of all different things and I started playing the guitar and suddenly started fitting in."

WHERE TO GET HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.

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24 May 02:40 AM
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29 May 09:40 PM

If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:

DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354
1737 NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234

There are lots of places to get support. For others, click here.

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