Ed Sheeran says he's 'hurt' after his James Bond theme tune was shelved for Billie Eilish

Ed Sheeran revealed he started writing a theme song for No Time To Die before he was replaced by Billie Eilish.

Billie co-wrote and performed No Time To Die for the James Bond film and even won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2022.

However, before Billie was chosen to perform for the 007 movie, Ed was the one in mind.

The 31-year-old singer-songwriter claimed he was attached to the project before the exit of Danny Boyle as director.

Danny cited 'creative differences' and was replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the first American person to pilot a 007 movie.

Ed told That Peter Crouch Podcast: “You’ve got to, eventually as an English singer, want to do a Bond song.”

Ed started writing the theme song (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

He was replaced by Billie Eilish (Getty Images for EON Productions)

"I was (close to) doing one, and they changed directors and they just changed scripts and that was it. I did all the meetings. I started writing it."

The Shape Of You singer added: "I’m not going to pretend it didn’t hurt not doing it. If they come back, I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, yeah, of course, yeah’.”

Besides wanting to perform a Bond song, the singer added he wouold 'maybe' record his own sports anthem like Frank Skinner, David Baddiel and the Lightning Seeds’ Three Lions.

The song was for No Time To Die (PA)

“We’ve discussed it lots of times,” he said. “I think I’ve been asked to do the rugby one, the cricket. I’ve definitely been asked.”

Meanwhile, Billie wrote No Time To Die with her brother Finneas O'Connell when she was only 17 years old.

She was the youngest artist to have recorded a song for a James Bond movie, which features orchestration by Hans Zimmer.

She became the youngest artist to have recorded a song for a Bond movie (Getty Images)

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Speaking about being part of the 007 universe, she previously said: "It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way.

"To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honour.

"James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I'm still in shock."

The powerful song topped the UK Singles Chart. It's the second Bond song to reach number one.

The song also won a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe and a Critics' Choice Movie Award.

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