Ed Sheeran has shared a glimpse of his new Christmas collab with music legend Elton John as he teases a clip of the Love Actually-inspired music video.
The hit-makers teamed up for their new single 'Merry Christmas', after Elton was inspired by his timeless festive track 'Step Into Christmas' - which still features in the top of the festive charts nearly five decades later.
Singer-songwriter Ed wasted no time at all getting cracking on the lyrics and has now shared a sneaky peak of the new video with a festive nod to rom-com Love Actually.
In the 47 second clip The Lego House singer appears in a festive doorway wearing a star Christmas jumper and holding up a giant cue cards.
The shot then swaps to Elton as if to greet him, wearing his trade-mark glitzy specs and black velvet dinner jacket.
Across the string of cards, Ed explained that Elton John phoned him to ask him to collaborate on a Christmas song together, to which he replied: "Yeah, maybe in 2022". But it turns out, he wrote the chorus that same day."
Picking up the acoustic guitar next to him, he sang: “ So kiss me under the mistletoe/ Pour out the wine/ Let’s toast and pray for December snow/ I know there’s been pain this year but it’s time to let it go/ Next year, you never know/ But for now, Merry Christmas .” And Merry Christmas was born!
Ed said he was initially hesitant but after the loss of a close friend inspired him to seize the day he accepted the offer.
He told a Dutch talk show NPO Radio 2 .: "It really just hit home how stuff can just change overnight."
"I was like, 'Why the f*ck am I not doing a Christmas song with Elton John? I might not be here tomorrow — this will be a f*cing great way to celebrate Christmas.'"
And performing an acoustic version of the chorus on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 show earlier this month he added: "There's loads of sleigh bells on it, and it sounds a lot more Christmassy than that."
The single, with it's surprisingly straightforward 'Merry Christmas' title, is released on Friday and can be pre-ordered will support the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
