Ed Sheeran Lookalike Stars in Berlin Film Festival Debut

At the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, a film called How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World left audiences wondering: is that Ed Sheeran on screen? As it turns out, it wasn’t the famous singer but Wesley Byrne, a street cleaner from Greater Manchester who has often been mistaken for Sheeran due to his striking resemblance. But despite the comparisons, Wesley is not the man in the spotlight for this role—he’s a newcomer to acting, and his journey to the Berlinale world premiere is nothing short of extraordinary.

Wesley’s involvement in the film was somewhat serendipitous. Director Florian Pochlatko discovered him online after hearing about how people frequently mistook him for Ed Sheeran. Intrigued, Pochlatko reached out to Wesley, and after confirming the legitimacy of the project, Wesley was soon flown out to Austria for his film debut. In this unconventional role, he plays a character who is not just physically similar to Sheeran but embodies the very themes of normalcy and oddity that the film explores.

Having never acted before, Wesley had his work cut out for him. He confessed to the unique challenge of acting in front of the camera, with the most difficult task being avoiding looking directly at it. The experience took an even more unexpected turn when Wesley found himself performing a sex scene, which was made easier by the presence of an intimacy coordinator. Though humorous moments like performing “sex noises” in a closed set made for some awkwardness, Wesley navigated it all with grace.

Despite being a rookie actor, Wesley embraced his new role with an open mind. His first film venture included some out-of-the-box moments like a scene inspired by The Matrix where he provided voice-over work. The film’s playful and offbeat nature suited Wesley perfectly, as he contributed to the oddness and surrealism of the story. His self-deprecating humor about the experience is endearing, and it’s clear he was open to trying new things, even though he had little acting experience.

Wesley, now 32, had been mistaken for Sheeran long before the singer became internationally known. His first encounter with a fan’s confusion occurred at an Iron Maiden concert, where a woman asked him what he was doing there. At the time, he had no idea who Ed Sheeran was. But over the years, the likeness between the two has only grown stronger, leading to many instances of fans asking for autographs or selfies. Wesley admits that these moments are usually harmless, although they do occasionally interrupt personal time with his girlfriend.

Despite his resemblance to Sheeran, Wesley has no interest in music. He doesn’t sing or play instruments, and his appreciation for music runs from rock and metal to classical and hip-hop. In fact, when asked about his favorite films, Wesley reveals himself to be a comic book fan with a deep love for the Avengers series. He even jokes about his physical appearance, humorously stating that he isn’t “in good enough shape” to play any superhero roles, but it’s clear he enjoys the idea of playing a larger-than-life character.

Interestingly, Wesley did meet Ed Sheeran once during a tomato ketchup commercial shoot, where he was hired as a body double for the singer. Wesley recalls Sheeran as being incredibly friendly and gracious, thanking him for his time on set. However, despite the similarities, Wesley says they never became close friends. He has, however, seen Sheeran perform live in concert and had a VIP experience that came about after a few fans mistakenly began snapping pictures of him.

Though he didn’t make it to the film’s premiere in Berlin due to work commitments, Wesley is content with the journey he’s had so far. He couldn’t take time off because his boss didn’t approve of the request, despite giving a month’s notice. Nevertheless, Wesley is excited to see where the film’s success will take him and hopes that it garners the attention it deserves.

For now, the film industry might not have seen the last of Wesley Byrne. He admits that he’s open to future acting roles, although he remains humble about his newfound fame. He jokingly claims he’s making it up as he goes along, with no solid plans for his career. But as a person who never expected to end up on a movie set, the experience of being part of How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World has definitely left an impression on him.

As the film continues to make waves at the Berlin Film Festival, Wesley’s journey proves that sometimes, life’s most unexpected opportunities come when you least expect them. And while Ed Sheeran might not be the one starring in this film, it’s clear that the world is now getting to know Wesley Byrne, a man whose face might just be as famous as the music star he so closely resembles.