Ed Sheeran says he 'almost killed' Elton John shooting a music video


It almost wasn't a very merry Christmas for Ed Sheeran.
The "Shape of You" singer revealed in an interview on Apple Music that when he shot a recent Christmas music video with Elton John, he almost accidentally "killed him with a bell."
The two singers released their music video "Merry Christmas" last week, and Sheeran noted there was a moment during shooting when he kicked a present that "had a big metal bell on top of it." The bell "flew past [John's] head and would have cracked him in the head," Sheeran revealed. Footage of this apparently exists, and Sheeran said he just showed it to John.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The horror that went through my body when it was flying through the air," Sheeran recalled.
The "Merry Christmas" video dropped on Dec. 3, and Sheeran explained it was John who called him and suggested they collaborate on a Christmas song. Sheeran said he hadn't imagined himself making a song for the holidays but decided to jump at this opportunity, noting "I've always wanted to work with him, and this made the most sense." The song includes lyrics like "I know there's been pain this year, but it's time to let it go" — and based on Sheeran's anecdote, it sounds like that nearly became all too real. Thankfully, John is still standing.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literature
Speed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91
Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclub
Speed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills
Speed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone
Speed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's view
Speed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year