Ed Sheeran joins Australian soap

British pop star Ed Sheeran has joined the cast of Australian soap opera Home And Away for a cameo appearance.

The Sing hitmaker filmed a beach scene with longtime castmember Emily Symons on the fictional Summer Bay set in Melbourne, Australia before finishing the rest of his guest role in the studio.

Sheeran, who plays himself, says of his acting job, "It's an Australian institution. It's always on in my local chip shop. I got asked to do it and it sounded like it could be fun. I did Shortland Street in New Zealand as well and I'm sure if Emmerdale or EastEnders ever ask me in England I would do that as well.

"I have got (to) a point where I really, really don't care what people think so I'm doing stuff because I enjoy it now rather than because it might be cool. I am just in it for fun."

However, Sheeran is adamant that dabbling with acting will not lead to a Hollywood career, adding, "With acting, I would have to start at the bottom again and I wouldn't be comfortable being (no good) at something, I would have to learn. I'm playing myself so I don't know if I have to do an Oscar-winning performance. I don't think I'm a natural actor, I think I'm a natural me."