“Hi I’m Ed,” says Mr. Sheeran as his clammy hand struggled to meet mine through the busy crowd that surrounded him. He’d just scooped the night’s main prize, album of the year, as well as best British male, so no real introduction was needed – but Ed continued to remain his gracious self.
His ginger fringe was saturated in sweat and he could barely stand, but despite his drunken state Ed couldn’t resist grabbing hold of the microphone to drop some bars. He brought the VIP party together as Rita danced and cheered on her friend while he showed off his musical skills. Ed was inseparable from his girlfriend Athina Andrelos - continually showering her with love and often pulling her in for a long snog.
It’s no surprise that Ed has been captured looking worse for wear after his night on the town, as I spotted the singer drinking champagne, before turning to vodka lime and tonics. One member of Ed’s 32-person entourage was even drinking straight CÎROC Vodka from a martini glass – as they all joined in the night’s celebration.
Another winner I rubbed shoulders with was Mark Ronson, who hit the decks at the after party to play Uptown Funk, which had won Best British single earlier on in the night. Never one to hog the limelight, Mark handed the microphone to me – knowing every lyric to his song suddenly came in handy.
In a separate room, Jonathan Ross and Dermot O’Leary enjoyed a laid-back catch up over champagne flutes, while Caroline Flack and Gemma Cairney threw some shapes on the dance floor. Not everyone was in the party mood however, Nicola Roberts spent the majority of her night alone – looking as though she missed the company of her former band mates Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Kimberley Walsh.
Another couple comfortable enough to show off their affections was Robert Pattinson and Brit nominee girlfriend FKA Twigs – who spent the night holding hands and in each other’s arms.
As the party drew to a close in the early hours of Thursday morning, I came face to face with Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Bloom – who refused to take a photo with me, insisting it was “too late” for any of that. But to my delight Orlando did give me a hug, as compensation for not letting me have a selfie with him, giving my bum a squeeze in the process – you win some, you lose some, I guess.