WINNING a Grammy for best song of the year with Ed Sheeran totally changed the life of singer/songwriter Amy Wadge.

She co-wrote the platinum selling, number one hit Thinking Out Loud, which became the first song to celebrate a whole year in the Top 40 of the UK charts.

Amy met Ed when he was just 17, before he was a superstar, and they became friends and a good songwriting partnership, both of which continues today.

His first EP was entitled Songs I Wrote With Amy, and she wrote four of the songs on his latest album, Divide. But it was the 2016 Grammys that really opened doors for Amy.

“It was incredibly surreal at the Grammy Awards, the most exciting night of my life and everything changed. It was so unexpected and made a big difference to my life; including nine arena tours and working so much in Nashville that I wanted somewhere to call home - so I bought a condo,’’ said Amy.

The singer/songwriter also has her family home, with actor husband Alan Brinley and her children, back in Wales. She will be returning to the UK in January for what has become a traditional tour with Luke Jackson, and they will be stopping off in the Corn Hall in Faringdon on Thursday, January 25.

“It has become a fixture to begin the year with Luke. It is a lovely thing to do and an incredible lot of fun. We always have a great night in Faringdon, a super time,’’ said Amy, who sings on Luke’s new album Tall Tales and Rumours.

“It is a song we do on stage so I was thrilled to be asked to sing on Finding Home,’’ she said.

Songwriting brings Amy into contact with a number of big names, including Kylie Minogue and Gary Barlow.

“As a songwriter I go back and forth to the USA. I am recording another record with Kylie in the New Year.

“Gary is a phenomenal artist and the nicest person. Gary and I get on well, you need that spark when you are working with someone and it is the same with Kylie,’’ said Amy.

When writing for someone, she prefers to go along and chat through ideas before she starts pulling the project together.

“I love songwriting, it gives me that buzz. I spent a week working with Kylie in Nashville. It is all about the musical interpretation, everyone has loads to say,’’ said Amy, who admits she was inspired to take an interest in music by her dad.

She says his musical knowledge was phenomenal and there was always music in the house. Like most youngsters Amy grew bored easily so when she wanted to learn guitar her parents bought her one from a junk shop, telling her that once she could play it they would buy her a proper one.

“It taught me a lesson, but they always gave me their support,’’ said Amy, who was offered her first record deal at the age of 14. “It started me on my journey, it was a small company in Bristol but I had a lot of growing up to do so I went on to drama school. I was made an honorary fellow and went back - but I gave a masterclass on songwriting,’’ she said.

Amy’s first brush with fame came when she was asked to perform at the opening of the new BBC6 Music radio station alongside the Stereophonics and Lenny Kravitz.

Today she is used to rubbing shoulders with big stars including a Royal Albert Hall gig with Jeff Beck. Her new EP, which will be released in time for her New Year tour, has the Dixie Chicks on backing vocals.

Ed Sheeran has again been nominated for his album, Divide, so Amy will be attending the Grammys, and she is also returning to Nashville to work with John Legend.

Tickets to see Amy Wadge and Luke Jackson in Faringdon are available from 07766 077115 or www.wegottickets.com/event/410827

- Flicky Harrison