Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran have been competing for the same awards over the last few months – the Brits, the Grammys and the BBC Music Awards.

As the UK’s golden boys, who are friends, take over the world, we look at how they shape up against each other in the pop heavyweight stakes.

Musical pedigree and chart success

Sam found fame in October 2012 when he appeared on Disclosure’s breakthrough single Latch, which peaked at number 11 in the UK.

His first chart-topping single was with Naughty Boy on La La La in May 2013, before his second and third solo singles Money On My Mind and Stay With Me topped the charts in 2014.

Sam has sold over five million copies worldwide of his debut album, In The Lonely Hour, making him one of the fastest-selling British debut artists of all time. He has also been the only artist in the world to reach over one million album sales in both the UK and the US in 2014.

Sam Smith (Richard Shotwell/AP)
Sam Smith (Richard Shotwell/AP)

In addition, his Grammy nominations make him the first male artist in 34 years, and the first UK male artist ever, to receive nominations in the “big four” categories – album of the year, record of the year, song of the year and best new artist.

Meanwhile, Ed released six EPs before his debut single The A Team, which debuted at number three and was the best-selling single of 2011, selling 801,000 copies.

He then enjoyed four singles debuting consecutively in the top 10, before his first album + went straight in at number one.

His second album X has been as successful, peaking at number one in both the UK and the US. He’s also been named Spotify’s most-streamed artist in the world and iTunes’s biggest-selling artist in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the New Zealand in 2014.

He’s also played three sold-out gigs at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium in London.

Ed Sheeran at the Brits 2015
(Joel Ryan/Invision/PA)

Musical inspirations

Both Ed and Sam are inspired to write songs based on their real-life experiences.

Ed’s track Don’t is rumoured to be referring to his short-lived romance with Ellie Goulding, while Sam’s award-winning album In The Lonely Hour is based on his heartbreak.

In his recent Grammys acceptance speech, Sam said: “I would like to thank the man that this album is about. By breaking my heart, you won me four Grammys!”

Awards and records

Sam Smith
Sam Smith with his Grammy awards (PHIL MCCARTEN/LANDOV)

Ed has won 37 awards including Brits for best male solo artist and his second album getting best album of the year, an Ivor Novello gong for The A Team, and three Q awards.

Meanwhile, Sam has scooped 17 gongs, which includes four Grammys and the Brits Critics Choice.

Famous friends and lookalikes

Ed is a very good mate of Taylor Swift, and even taught her how to make a decent cup of tea and introduced her to the good old British pub.

He is also good buddies with former Friends star Courteney Cox, who let him stay at her Californian beach house rent-free, as well Pharrell Williams, Sir Elton John (who runs his management company), Samuel L Jackson, Sir Paul McCartney and Jay Z. Too many to name!

On the other hand, Sam’s star-studded friends include the likes of Mary J Blige, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katy Perry, Cara Delevingne, Rebel Wilson and Miley Cyrus. Who trumps who? We’re not sure any more.

Ed often gets mistaken for Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, so much so that he even got the actor to stand in for him for the Lego House music video.

He’s also been compared to Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall, who could pass for his elder.

Meanwhile, Sam has been compared to fellow Brit singers John Newman and Boy George.

Boy George
(Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Online love

Sam has 2.9 million Instagram followers and 2.11 million supporters on Twitter, while Ed has three million supporters on Instagram and 12.6 million Twitter fans.

Screen success

Ed’s soaring high when it comes to the small and big screens. He wrote a song for The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug, and wrote and performed a song for The Fault In Our Stars. He has also been transformed into a Simpsons character. Now that is pretty cool.

Sam, however, has yet to hit those scales. But he is tipped to perform the theme tune to the next James Bond film, Spectre, and even Ed wants him to do it.

Style stakes and pin-up potential

Ed Sheeran
(Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Singer-songwriter Ed is instantly recognisable with his messed-up ginger hair and facial fluff. He seems more at home dressed down, and even on the red carpet, he’ll team his designer three-piece suit with edgy trainers.

As if his songs and humble attitude aren’t attractive enough, Ed is the owner of a very cute kitten named Graham, which boosts his adorable nature even more.

Sam always sports his trademark slicked-back hair and designer stubble, and prefers tailored suits in various colours. He’s also been a guest at London Fashion Week, getting a hot ticket to the Burberry show.

Sam Smith
(Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)