Ed Sheeran reunited with his ‘best mate’ from Brandeston Hall on Graham Norton Show

Ed Sheeran had an unexpected reunion with his “best mate growing up” in Suffolk when they both appeared on a television chat show.

James Mee, who attended Brandeston Hall school with the Suffolk singer, was the audience member in the notorious “big red chair” section of Friday’s Graham Norton Show.

At first, Ed did not appear to recognise his old school pal, who was introduced only as James. But once it was revealed that he grew up in Suffolk and attended Brandeston Hall, now called Framlingham College Prep School, he rushed over to Graham’s screen to take a closer look.

“Mee!” he exclaimed.

“He was my best mate growing up.”

During the red chair section, audience members are asked to tell a story about something bizarre that happened to them, with the celebrity guests then deciding whether it was interesting enough for them to walk away unscathed – or be “flipped” off the chair with the flick of a switch.

Mr Mee’s story was about when Ed came over for tea and his mother gave them both sausage and mash to eat, not realising the young singer was at the time a vegetarian. In typically polite fashion, Ed was said to have eaten the meal without complaint and told his friend’s mother they were the best sausages he had ever eaten.

“It was the first time I ever had meat,” said Ed.

“The first time I ever watched a Simpsons episode was also round his house.”

Ed then “flipped” his old friend, who came out to end the show on Graham’s sofa with guests including Christina Ricci, Matthew McConaughey and Josh Widdicombe.

Ed has been praised for keeping true to his Suffolk roots, with Castle on the Hill, one of two new releases, described as a “love song for Suffolk”.

He has also returned to both of his old schools, Brandeston and Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham,. to hold song-writing workshops with pupils. Mr Mee, however, attended Framlingham College, where he was Head of School in 2008/9.

During Friday’s show, Ed also revealed that he celebrates his success by buying himself children’s toys, with Lego his number one choice. “When my album went to number one I bought the Death Star Lego kit - it was time,” he said.