Sir Elton John: 'Ed Sheeran will have a career as long as mine'

Sir Elton John has praised 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker Ed Sheeran for being such an open, talented and authentic musician.

He introduced Sheeran to the stage at yesterday's Ivor Novello Awards, at which Sheeran picked up the gong for Songwriter of the Year, and complimented his musicianship and industry staying-power:

"I have a vested interest in him because my company manages him. He's a delight to work with because he has so much enthusiasm for what he does."

"He loves to embrace other artists, and is always collaborating with other people. Whenever I speak to people when they start out, I say to them, 'Please enjoy it. It's a really special time. For five or six years you will be doing no wrong, and then someone else will come along and you'll find your feet'."

Sir Elton John added: "But this boy next to me will have a career - if he wants to - as long as mine. I am quite confident about that. I hope he doesn't get into half the trouble I got into, and he'd have to marry a man and a woman!"

Watch Sheeran talking about Sir Elton's support below: