WEST Dorset man Emil Nava has scooped a prestigious award for his work with chart-topper Ed Sheeran.

He had his moment in the spotlight at the MTV awards in LA this week when he scooped the award for the best male video of the year for Sing.

Mum Gill Capper, a freelance journalist from Bridport, said she couldn’t be prouder of her 29-year-old son who left school at 16.

She said Emil went to St Mary’s then Colfox school before working as a chef at the Riverside Restaurant in West Bay.

She said: “He won the MTV award for directing Ed Sheeran’s video. They were up for best male video and they won it so it is quite an accolade. I couldn’t be prouder.

“We’ve been in Bridport for 20 years and there are a lot of people around town who will remember him.”

After working at the Riverside, Emil went to London and worked as a runner on pop videos.

He gradually worked his way up to second and then first assistant director.

Mrs Capper added: “He has done a lot of Jesse J’s videos.

“He’s been up for awards before but this is the first time he’s actually won.”

The video has amassed more than 40 million views on Youtube, andyou can watch it below.

Emil said his win was going to be ‘life-changing’.

He said: “At school I was always way too much trouble.

“No concentration, always disruptive and generally mucked around.

“I wanted to be an actor but after finding out I had to wear leotards and sing and dance it was a no-go. I left school at 16 and trained as a chef.

“Just before I turned 18 I started PA-ing on music videos.

“Two years in and I started assistant directing and at around 20 I directed a music video for my friend Jack Barclay. That was it - I was in. I loved it and just wanted to learn more and more.”