Who's that girl? Smiling Ed Sheeran spotted leaving New York hotel with a mystery lady as he misses out on winning a VMA

He was most recently linked to Nicole Scherzinger.

And soon after the former X Factor judge poked fun at their supposed break-up earlier in the week, Ed Sheeran was spotted leaving a hotel with a mystery girl in tow.

Ed, 24, smiled from ear-to-ear as he was pictured walking along the pavement to a taxi with an unidentified female companion on Sunday.

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Something to smile about: Ed Sheeran couldn't hide his happiness as he was spotted leaving a hotel in New York City with a mystery girl in tow on Sunday

Something to smile about: Ed Sheeran couldn't hide his happiness as he was spotted leaving a hotel in New York City with a mystery girl in tow on Sunday

The talented musician looked his characteristically-casual self dressed in a pair of black baggy jeans, a navy Lacoste shirt, which he wore with the top button undone, and a pair of black and green skater shoes.

Ed wore his ginger curls in an unstyled fashion and a pair of black-rimmed reading glasses topped off his look.

His anonymous lady friend opted to make more of a style statement as she slipped on a pair of light blue boyfriend jeans and a black semi-sheer crop-top.

Who's that girl? Ed, 24, was escorted out of the hotel by the female companion who flashed her tummy in a black semi-sheer crop-top

Who's that girl? Ed, 24, was escorted out of the hotel by the female companion who flashed her tummy in a black semi-sheer crop-top

Just good friends? The Thinking Out Loud singer and the pretty bronde stepped into a taxi together

Just good friends? The Thinking Out Loud singer and the pretty bronde stepped into a taxi together

She added a pair of chunky wooden heels and a big leather bag to her look.

The bronde wore her long thick tresses in a fairly natural style and bronze make-up tones highlighted her pretty facial features.

MailOnline has contacted Ed's rep for comment.

Better luck next time: The talented musician was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards 2015 but was beaten by his good friend Taylor Swift and Mark Ronson

Better luck next time: The talented musician was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards 2015 but was beaten by his good friend Taylor Swift and Mark Ronson

Ed's sighting came hours before the MTV Video Music Awards 2015 kicked off in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday evening.

He was nominated in three categories - Video of the year, Male video and Pop video - but was beaten by good friend Taylor Swift in two and Mark Ronson in one.

However, his manager maintained he wasn't upset about not picking up any new silverware on Twitter. 

Ed was missing in action from the annual award ceremony which may have been the craziest yet thanks to a certain Miley Cyrus.

Although the reason for his absence is not yet known.

Star of the night: Taylor Swift was the big winner of the night picking up three awards - Video of the year, Female video and Pop video
Star of the night: Taylor Swift was the big winner of the night picking up three awards - Video of the year, Female video and Pop video

Star of the night: Taylor Swift was the big winner of the night picking up three awards - Video of the year, Female video and Pop video

2015 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

VIDEO OF THE YEAR  

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar, Bad Blood 

BEST MALE VIDEO 

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, Uptown Funk 

BEST FEMALE VIDEO 

Taylor Swift, Blank Space 

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO 

Nicki Minaj, Anaconda

BEST POP VIDEO  

Taylor Swift, Blank Space 

BEST ROCK VIDEO  

Fall Out Boy, Uma Thurman 

ARTIST TO WATCH 

Fetty Wap, Trap Queen 

VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE 

Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend, One Man Can Change the World 

VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD 

Kanye West 

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