Taylor Swift performs during the filming of the Graham Norton Show at London Studios. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.Photo credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

SUFFOLK singer Ed Sheeran says he feels like a “stud” after he was rumoured to be dating pop superstar Taylor Swift.

Ed Sheeran says he is flattered by rumours linking him to US starTaylor Swift Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

And the Framlingham star said he was delighted that even his friends believed he was capable of attracting the attentions of such a glamorous figure.

However Ed, who went to Thomas Mills High School, said they were merely friends and denied suggestions there was any romance between them.

He had recently been seen leaving her hotel room in the early hours, prompting speculation that they were an item, but he said there was an innocent explanation - they were merely playing songs to each other.

In an interview for a New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ, Sheeran said: “I did go to her hotel, I did stay there ‘til four and I did leave in the same clothes - but I was playing her my new record. It was strictly that kind of thing.

“Literally, I went in there and we passed the guitar back and forth and played songs to each other.”

Asked whether he stole a kiss he responded: “I’m a professional.”

Ed - whose friend Harry Styles from pop group One Direction had a fling with Swift - went on: “The thing that impressed me with the media is that because they wrote about it, my mates believed it.

“And my mates are texting me being like ‘is it true?’ so I said it wasn’t but the fact that people can believe it makes me feel like a bit of a stud, you know?

“I’ve got to be honest because one of my best friends did date her. I’m not that kind of guy. But the fact that people believed it impressed me a little bit.”

And he pointed out it would be foolhardy to date Swift because they were due to tour together.

“Six months on the road with someone, that could get a bit awkward.”