Ed Sheeran expressed his surprise after clinching his inaugural Emmy award, emphasizing he hadn’t anticipated the win. The renowned artist secured the Emmy in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics section for his contribution to the television series Ted Lasso. The news broke in October 2021 that Sheeran was set to create music for the show’s third installment. Alongside him, Eurovision’s second-place finisher, Sam Ryder, was also commissioned to craft a song titled ‘Fought & Lost.’
The accolade for ‘A Beautiful Game’ was collectively shared with fellow songwriters Max Martin and Foy Vance. Due to prior tour commitments, Sheeran couldn’t grace the award ceremony but conveyed his gratitude, stating, “Considering the stiff competition in the Emmy category, I genuinely believed our odds were slim. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us, including Max, Foy, and the entire Ted Lasso team.”
The track, which featured Sheeran’s vocals, resonated in the finale of Ted Lasso. Sheeran took to social media to share his excitement, revealing, “The Emmy win was entirely unexpected. Although I couldn’t be present due to my Asia tour commitments, waking up to this news was surreal.” Reflecting on the creation process, he shared insights: “Crafting ‘A Beautiful Game’ with Max Martin and Foy Vance was a delightful experience. Inspired by the essence of the show, we penned a song encapsulating love, football, and the significance of the journey.”
Additionally, Ryder’s ‘Fought & Lost’ competed in the same Emmy category alongside compositions from series like Ginny & Georgia, The L Word: Generation Q, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Ted Lasso celebrated another victory as Sam Richardson secured an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
In a different spotlight, Sheeran pleasantly surprised fans with an impromptu performance at The Darkness’ London concert, even collaborating with the band on the song ‘Love Is Only a Feeling’. Recalling another unexpected gig, Sheeran had joined forces with 50 Cent the previous November, delivering a rendition of ‘Shape of You’ during the iconic rapper’s performance.