Ed Sheeran writes song for upcoming Christmas film

Ed Sheeran has written a Christmas song for a new Netflix film.

The animated Christmas film “That Christmas”, which is set in Suffolk, features the singer’s song entitled “Under The Tree”.

Co-author of “That Christmas” is Richard Curtis, who lives in Suffolk and is the director of “Love Actually,” “Notting Hill” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

Sheeran, who lives near Framlingham, described the film as “so emotional and yet so heartwarmingly funny”.

“I've been friends with Richard Curtis for years and we've done a lot of great charity work. We were both heavily involved in the film Yesterday,” Sheeran said.

“He came to me two years ago to play me the rough cut of 'That Christmas.'

“It was just sketches and voices, but it blew me away. So emotional and yet so heartwarmingly funny, like all of Richard Curtis' films.”

Sheeran said he felt there was “a real lack of great animated Christmas films for kids” and it “felt so good to create something that my kids would watch.”

“I think it's a shame there aren't more cartoons for children at Christmas, but this film is becoming a staple of the holiday season, at least in our household,” he added.

Curtis said he was “thrilled” to have worked with Sheeran.

“It’s a film set in Suffolk,” he explained.

“Ed lives in Suffolk and loves the town. He completely understood the pitch and tone of what we were trying to do.

“We have been friends for many years and it is really nice that he – especially now that he is a husband and father – plays such an important role in this film about love, children and family.

“And even if he wasn't a friend and didn't love Suffolk, it was of course wonderful to have a wonderful new song from one of the greatest British songwriters of all time.”

The film, also written by Peter Souter and directed by Simon Otto, will be released in cinemas on December 6th.