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Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John may be the talk of the festive season with their cheery song about snow and mistletoe and logs on the fire – but the ditty may never have seen the light of day because of a misplaced kick.
During an interview with Apple Music about his and Elton's new song, Merry Christmas, Ed opened up about an incident that almost killed his close friend on set of their music video.
"We just shot a Christmas music video. Oh, mate. I almost killed him with a bell,” Ed says.
“On the video, I'm dressed up as sort of sexy Santa Claus and I kick a present, but the present had a big metal bell on top of it.
“I showed Elton the footage of it today, and we slowed it down and [you can see how] the bell flew past him and would've cracked him in the head.”
The 30-year-old went on to detail the fear he experienced at that moment.
“Oh my God, the horror that went through my body when it was flying through the air.
“But, man, the music video is wild. We've parodied all the great British music videos that came at Christmas.”
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Elton first found out about his apparent near-death experience when talk show host Jonathan Ross asked him about it last month.
“I beg your pardon? I have no idea about this! I have no idea; this is news to me. Have you got proof?” Elton said.
After the English host explained the incident to him, Elton responded: “How big was the bell? Wait until I see that little b*****d!”
The musicians will be donating the profits from their festive jingle to charity organisations.
The Rocketman singer will reportedly be giving the funds to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he started in 1992, while Ed will be donating to the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation.
The two stars have grown close over the years and in a recent interview, Ed revealed Elton phones him every day.
“I think people think I'm exaggerating and lying when I say he calls every day. He calls me every single morning. Even if it's like 10 seconds, every single morning he calls.”
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Ed went on to say that Elton was very supportive of him at the start of his career.
“From the beginning, he’s been a mentor, he’s been like, ‘Anytime you want to call me, anytime you need advice’.
“American radio wouldn’t play me, so he flew over there to play a private gig for them, to make sure that they play me,” he said.
Ed also labelled the singer his “favourite human”, adding that it’s hard to find people like Elton in the music industry.
“There’s like no bad energy around him, he doesn’t wish bad for me, he doesn’t go, 'Oh, Ed’s doing too well, he needs to calm down'. He’s the best,” he says.
The 74-year-old also has nothing but good things to say about Ed. During an interview with Rolling Stone, Elton said he admired the singer’s work ethic.
“I love him to death. I love him because he’s extremely naughty as well.”
Sources: People, Rolling Stone, CNN, Geo News
