Cradle of Filth confirm Ed Sheeran collaboration

Backstage at Bloodstock Festival 2021, Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth spoke to Kerrang! Radio Breakfast Show host Sophie K in an exclusive interview, discussing the return of live music and a rather unusual collaboration.

The talismanic Dani caught up with Kerrang! Radio for an interview for Sophie's breakfast show, from 7am on Monday 16th August

Resplendent in full makeup before taking to the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Saturday 14th August, in front of a 20,000-strong crowd at Bloodstock's 20th anniversary, Dani chatted about his past year.

When asked by Sophie whether the recent rumours that Dani might work with Ed Sheeran could be true, after the perpetrator of 'Galway Girl' revealed his childhood love for Cradle of Filth, Dani divulged: "I've actually been emailing with him."

Pressed by Sophie on whether he was joking, the famously tongue-in-cheek Dani confirmed "No no, it's true! He actually touched base with me."

"I've been invited up to his place. Well, he said he could come down to mine, but I pointed out to him that I don't own my own bar or village, and it'd be better if I went there."

"He said he'd do anything. Quite literally. He said he's a massive fan. He seems like a genuinely very nice guy actually."

Cradle of Filth's opening number at Bloodstock 2021:

Noting the unlikeliness of a potential duet between the lead singer of an extreme metal band and the chart-hogging Ed Sheeran, Sophie pointed out: "Even ten years ago, the IDEA of someone from our scene communicating with someone like him would be crazy"

Responding, Dani (whose band are responsible for one of the most controversial t-shirts of all time) said: "We've always been like that. If someone tells us not to do something, then we'll do it. That's been our prerogative the whole time.

"I did this rap song with this band called Twiztid in America. It's actually turned out more like Rammstein and Beastie Boys, than full-on rap.

"So, in that respect, I think it (the Ed Sheeran collaboration) would be great fun. I think it'd be great if we did it for charity, because at least it would bring a bit of credibility to it.

Dani continued, "Because obviously to his public, it'd be like "Oh my god, he's got this weird comical guy", and to my public it'd be like "Oh my god, this is a bit weird, isn't it? But I think that sort of thing, nowadays works."

"I think in some respect the whole going away, having a year and a half out, for everybody in the world, has... I dunno, you see people a bit more cheery. Like, the appreciation, not moaning so much about the things you take for granted."

It remains to be seen whether any musical collab will be in the vein of Castle On The Hill, or Thirteen Autumns And A Widow...

Elsewhere in his chat with us Dani talked about all sorts, from the making of Cradle of Filth's new album 'Existence Is Futile' (out 22nd October 2021), to how he gets recognised in the most unlikely of situations, including whilst on the phone to his insurance company.

Listen to Dani Filth's interview with Sophie K, alongside other clips from backstage at Bloodstock, on Monday 16th August only on Kerrang! Radio. You can also hear more interviews in Johnny Doom's show from 10pm on Tuesday 17th August.

In other Bloodstock news, the festival surprise-announced its first 2022 artists on Friday night, including headliners Lamb of God and Mercyful Fate, amongst others.

Listen to Everything That Rocks on Kerrang! Radio. Download our free app, listen online and via your smart speaker (“play Kerrang! Radio”).

69 rock stars' real names, including Dani Filth:

• cradle of filth
• Bloodstock