Ed Sheeran gets emotional after American Idol duo sing his song

American Idol viewers are flooding to social media as moved as Ed Sheeran after a duo covered one of the musician's songs.

The duo's rendition stayed true to the ballad, both contestants arming themselves with acoustic guitars as they performed the song as well as being accompanied by a small orchestra.

A clip of the performance shows Sheeran watching the duet with an emotional smile on his face and the crowd erupting in applause as the final note is sung.

Reflecting on the performance, Sheeran commented on 'how well' the contestants' voices 'complement each other'.

Sheeran - who recently won his copyright infringement trial - continued: "That was so beautiful to listen to, both your vocal tones fit so well with each other. I know that both of you have, like - I’m listening to it knowing that there’s a crazy power singing ability that’s in there, but just gentleness and soulfulness you’re bringing. I got emotional listening to that, it was good."

Fellow stand-in judge Morissette added: "Iam and Oliver, I just know you’re coming from two completely different places and yet you have this really cohesive respective connection with each other. I was just really moved, and hearing men be vulnerable is... Be still my beating heart.

"Great job," regular judge Luke Bryan continued. "It had beautiful harmonies."

While another echoed: "These two need to make music together after Idol. I can listen to them harmonize all day."

A third commented: "They were so in sync. They both were so SOUND it's unbelievable."

And a fourth said: "WOW!!! EPIC and beautiful cover of Ed's song. You guys sang in PERFECT harmony as one!!! THIS IS WHAT AMERICAN IDOL IS ALL ABOUT!!! IAM IS MY AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sadly, Steele was later eliminated from the competition after not making the top five.

However, hopefully he and Tongi will fulfil viewers' hopes of continuing to sing together even after leaving the show.