Ed Sheeran failed music college before catapulting to global stardom

Ed Sheeran failed all his music subjects in college, a letter from the institution has revealed.

According to the document from the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, the Shape of You singer received F grades in all six of the music subjects he took there in 2010.

They included fails for songcraft and professional musicianship.

The letter is being displayed as a part of a free exhibition dedicated to the star’s life which opened in Ipswich today.

The Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk exhibition has been curated by the 28-year-old’s father John, and features private family photographs, unseen art and personal items from the superstar himself.

Speaking about the ACM letter, John said his son had become “disillusioned” by his studies just three weeks after enrolling.

He explained that Ed had been offered a spot to support British artist Just Jack on tour in 2009, but his college had refused to give him permission to go.

“[Ed] then rang us to say that he was determined to go on the tour, even if it meant him leaving college. Neither of us were surprised.”

The artist eventually dropped out of favour on the tour, before going on to global stardom.

“Ed was developing a fearless gut instinct,” his father said.

John and the star’s mother Imogen later met up with their son during a Just Jack concert at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, where his soon-to-be-manager Stuart Camp was also in attendance.

A year later, the singer-songwriter – now worth an estimated £160 million – received a letter from his former college, revealing his straight run of F grades.

His father said the results were “hardly surprising as he never returned”.

The display in Ipswich also includes a certificate naming the singer as “most likely to be famous”, which was presented to him at his Year 11 prom at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham.

A school report from 2004, also included in the exhibition, describes him as a “natural performer”.

The exhibition, which will be run until May 2020, is free to attend, but it is advised to book a spot beforehand.

It has been launched to coincide with the star’s four homecoming concerts scheduled in Ipswich.

(c) Sky News 2019: Ed Sheeran failed music college before catapulting to global stardom