Novice driver Sheeran takes the wheel for Top Gear test

Ed Sheeran with The Stig during a visit to the Top gear track in Surrey where he took a spin as the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date date: Thursday January 22, 2015. Although as a guitarist he is used to stamping on a few pedals, the hitmaker is still getting to grips with the footwork on a car as he still has no driving licence. See PA story SHOWBIZ TopGear. Photo credit should read: BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

The Hebden Bridge-born singer, whose hits include Sing and Thinking Out Loud, met up with Top Gear’s mysterious test driver on a visit to the show’s track in Surrey where he took a spin as the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car.

Although as a guitarist he is used to stamping on a few pedals, the hitmaker is still getting to grips with the footwork on a car as he still has no driving licence.

Bosses of the show sorted him out with an automatic Vauxhall Astra as he headed out around the private track at Dunsfold Park in Surrey.

Sheeran, 23, was not the first non-driver to try out as Johnny Vegas did a lap with L plates in 2003 and Jack Whitehall took out an automatic last year. Whitehall currently has the slowest time so far in an Astra. After his lap, Brit and Grammy-nominated Sheeran told his fans on Twitter: “Had a brilliant time filming Top Gear.”

Viewers will see how he got on when his lap is screened during the first edition of the new series when it is aired on Sunday on BBC2 at 8pm. Others who have soared round the track on the BBC2 car show include Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul.”