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'We weren't the popular kids at school': Ed Sheeran reveals what drives him and BFF Taylor Swift to chart-conquering success

Published: 19:08 EST, 26 January 2017 | Updated: 03:14 EST, 27 January 2017

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His first two albums have conquered the charts around the globe since he burst onto the music scene in 2011.

And with his third studio offering dropping in just a matter of weeks, Ed Sheeran has revealed that his unpopularity at school has been a major motivation in his career.

Speaking to GQ, the 25-year-old Lego House hit-maker explained that his and BFF Taylor Swift are driven to succeed musically as they weren't 'popular' at school.

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It's not popularity contest: With his third studio offering dropping in just a matter of weeks, Ed Sheeran has revealed that his unpopularity at school has been a major motivation in his career

Sitting down for a candid interview with the iconic men's lifestyle bible, the star admitted his formative years were something that galvanized his desire to succeed in one of the hardest industries.

'There’s an underdog element to it,' said Ed when asked about his drive. 'Taylor [Swift] was never the popular kid in school. I was never the popular kid in school.

'Then you get to the point when you become the most popular kid in school – and we both take it a bit too far. She wants to be the biggest female artist in the world and I want to be the biggest male artist in the world.'

'I was never popular': He told GQ his and his BFF Taylor Swift's drive came from their year's at school'Taylor [Swift] was never the popular kid in school. I was never the popular kid in school'

He explained there was a certain element of payback in reaching the lofty heights of his career, adding:

'It also comes from always being told that you can’t do something and being like, ‘F*** you. I can.’

But it seems that Ed - who is about to drop third album, Divide, in March - is also keen to demolish any and all of his competition.

It's about being the best: He explained: 'She wants to be the biggest female artist in the world and I want to be the biggest male artist in the world'

Taking on the competition? It seems that Ed - who is about to drop third album, Divide, in March - is also keen to demolish any and all of his competition

Singling out Adele, he said that he'd love to be able to shift more albums that the London-born star.

'Adele is the one person who’s sold more records than me in the past ten years,' he said.

'She’s the only person I need to sell more records than. That’s a big f***ing feat because her last album sold 20 million. But if I don’t set her as the benchmark then I’m selling myself short.'

'She’s the only person I need to sell more records than': While he was quick to downplay any real competition, he said that he'd love to sell more records than the London-born singer

Though he was quick to stress he wasn't in direct competition with the Hello hit-maker, Ed said there was a 'race to the finish line' when it came to the charts.

Read it all: The full interview will hit shelves on Thursday 2 February

And Divide could be just the ticket he's been waiting for, as the album is already a must-have for 2017.

The Yorkshire-born star's third LP will give his fans an insight into the global superstar's past relationships, family life and musical career; as well as his one-year hiatus which saw him travel the world.

Fans can expect a mix of emotive ballads, hip-hop beats, and Ed's trademark acoustic guitar sound.

The hotly-anticipated record has been co-produced by Benny Blanco (Rihanna, The Weeknd) and Ed, with help from Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid, Mike Elizondo and Steve Mac.

It was recorded between Los Angeles, London, Suffolk and the RMS Queen Mary 2 cruise ship.

See the full shoot in the March issue of GQ, available on digital download now or on newsstands Thursday 2 February.

Ready to make it another number one: His third album Divide could be just the ticket he's been waiting for, as the album is already a must-have for 2017