Ed Sheeran says hearing about drug use from Sir Elton John turned him off substances.

The veteran musician previously said that he "wasted" a big part of his life due to drugs.

John battled addiction in the earlier years of his career before cleaning up his act.

Speaking to news.com.au, Sheeran said hearing dark tales from John - who has regularly given advice to him - warned him away from drugs.

The 'x' man said: "His stories about drugs put you off.

"You hear him talk about his darkest days and he tells you so you don’t have those little moments. He’s definitely lived it."

Sheeran meanwhile teamed up with Elton John to perform his track 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' at London's Wembley Stadium in June.

They also performed Sheeran's 'Afire Love'.

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Watch Ed Sheeran perform with Elton John below: