Ed Sheeran snubbed by Arlene Phillips during r Britannia High audition

‘He’s not even an option!’ How Ed Sheeran was brutally snubbed during awkward 2008 dance audition for TV musical aged 16… years before becoming music superstar

  • A 16-year-old Ed was filmed for a behind-the-scenes documentary as he auditioned for the ITV musical series
  • However, while Ed, now 29, impressed with his vocals, his wooden moves to Justin Timberlake’s Like I Love You, left Arlene Phillips fuming 
  • As Ed, dressed in a dark green jumper and jeans, awkwardly danced, Arlene exclaimed: ‘Not even an option’ 
  • Ed truly did have the last laugh though as the star shot to worldwide fame with the release of his debut album + in 2011
  • In May he was named as the UK’s richest musician under the age of 30 on the Sunday Times Rich List with a £200m fortune 

He is one of the most successful recording artists of all time, selling more than 150million records worldwide and amassing a £200million fortune.

But Ed Sheeran was served a hard dose of reality back in 2008 when the-then aspiring teenage performer was snubbed by Arlene Phillips at the auditions for teen series Britannia High.

Years before breaking onto the music scene with his debut album +, a 16-year-old Ed was filmed for a behind-the-scenes documentary as he auditioned for the ITV musical series alongside fellow future stars Pixie Lott and Zizi Strallen.

Far from Perfect! Ed Sheeran was served a hard dose of reality back in 2008 when the-then aspiring teenage performer was snubbed by Arlene Phillips at the auditions for teen series Britannia High

However, while Ed, now 29, impressed with his silken vocals, his wooden moves to Justin Timberlake’s Like I Love You, left then-Strictly judge Arlene Phillips fuming and ruling out the future Grammy Award winner entirely.

As Ed, dressed in a dark green jumper and jeans, awkwardly danced, Arlene exclaimed: ‘Not even an option.

‘Eventually we are going to have to find some people who can dance because they can’t all not dance.’

She’d previously said: ‘We are looking for triple threats; they’ve got to be able to sing, dance, and act. They’ve got to be stars.’

He’s not an option: Then Strictly judge Arlene was left unimpressed by the future music superstar and ruled him out

Throwback: Years before breaking onto the music scene, a 16-year-old Ed was filmed for a behind-the-scenes documentary as he auditioned for the ITV musical series

Ed also showcased his iconic vocals as he played a banjo for the judges, with one declaring: ‘His voice is what Britannia High is all about.’ 

The A Team hitmaker’s voice got him through to the next round alongside promising musical theatre students, with the star screaming and later declaring: ‘I’m very surprised actually because I can’t dance.’ 

However dancing was once again his undoing in the next round, with Arlene saying: ‘he is trying’ – but ‘hasn’t a clue’.

Ed said: ‘I’m just trying to really get it in my head… I think I messed up as I got kicked in the face by accident.’

Wembley awaits: The star was seen impressing the judges with his vocal abilities 


I don’t care: Ed’s wooden moves to Justin Timberlake’s Like I Love You, left Arlene fuming and ruling out the future Grammy Award winner entirely

Biggest mistake: Arlene couldn’t hide her disdain as she watched the future music icon perform

I can’t dance! Ed admitted dancing wasn’t his strong point after making it through one round

Ed did have the other judges on his side with one saying they would ‘sign him anyway’ due to his musical talent.

He was ultimately rejected from the show, saying: ‘I don’t think anyone can say they didn’t want the part and weren’t hoping to get the part, everyone wanted it as much as the next person.’

Britannia High aired in 2008 for one series and starred Skins star Mitch Hewer in the title role.

Ed truly did have the last laugh though as the star shot to worldwide fame with the release of his debut album in 2011, which spawned his first hit single, The A Team – and has conquered the US market.

Better things coming: He was ultimately rejected from the show, saying: ‘I don’t think anyone can say they didn’t want the part and weren’t hoping to get the part, everyone wanted it as much as the next person’

Part of The A Team: Ed truly did have the last laugh though as the star shot to worldwide fame with the release of his debut album in 2011, which spawned his first hit single, The A Team – and has conquered the US market (pictured 2019)

The star’s second album X, released in 2014 was named the second-best-selling album worldwide of 2015.

His Divide World Tour which ran from 2017-2019 is the world’s highest grossing tour ever.

He has won four Grammy Awards, five BRIT Awards and six Billboard Music Awards. 

In May he was named as the UK’s richest musician under the age of 30 on the Sunday Times Rich List with a £200m fortune.

Ed is currently on a musical hiatus and welcomed his first child, daughter Lyra Antarctica, with wife Cherry Seaborn in August. 

Family first: Ed is currently on a musical hiatus and welcomed his first child, daughter Lyra Antarctica, with wife Cherry Seaborn in August

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