Adele leads 2016 BRIT Awards with four nominations including Album of the Year for 25 while One Direction score two nods
Laura Whitmore unveiled this year's shortlist for some of the most prestigious awards in music in a ceremony to be broadcast on ITV on Thursday night.
Adele, James Bay, Calvin Harris and One Direction are among the huge international acts nominated for this year's BRIT Awards, with the ceremony taking place at London's O2 arena on February 24.
Adele leads this year's nods with four BRIT nominations, while she is also one of the favourites for the BRITs Global Success Award (based on international sales success), which means she could walk away with five awards on the night – something no artist has yet to achieve.
Front of the pack: Adele leads this year's BRIT Award nominations with four nods as the shortlist was unveiled on Thursday
Adele last picked up a Brit in 2013 for her Oscar winning Bond theme Skyfall, which won British Single of the Year but she has earned four nods in this year's shortlist following the record-breaking global success of her third album 25.
She is up for British Female Solo Artist, British Single, MasterCard British Album of the Year and British Artist Video of the Year.
The star also is also the favourite to pick up the BRITs Global Success Award, which is identified by the global sales success of British Acts of their latest album.
In 2012 the singer's acclaimed sophomore effort 21 picked up British Album of the Year and was nominated for Single of the Year prize for her hit Someone Like You. The star has won four Brit Awards over her career and been nominated for eight overall.
Multiple nominations: Joining Adele with four nominations is James Bay (Best British Male Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Single and MasterCard British Album of the Year)
Joining Adele with four nominations is James Bay (Best British Male Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Single and MasterCard British Album of the Year) and Years & Years (British Group, British Breakthrough, British Single and British Artist Video of the Year).
Calvin Harris (British Male Solo Artist, British Single and British Artist Video of the Year) and Jess Glynne (British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act and British Single) are both nominated for three awards.
Coldplay, Jamie xx, Mark Ronson, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding have all earned two nominations.
What a year! Years & Years have also earned four nods for British Group, British Breakthrough, British Single and British Artist Video of the Year
Meanwhile if Coldplay win both their categories (British Group and Album of the Year) they'll become the most successful artist in BRIT history in both Best Album and British Group – they are currently tied with Arctic Monkeys on three wins each in both categories.
One Direction have earned two nominations for British Group and British Artist Video of the Year for Drag Me Down.
The four-piece band, who are embarking on an extended hiatus this year, so far have four Brit Awards to the name including the 2015 British Artist Video Of The Year gong for You & I.
A year earlier the group were awarded a special Global Success prize for their contribution to the industry over the past five years.
Going out on a high: One Direction have earned two nominations for British Group and British Artist Video of the Year for Drag Me Down.
Bieber meanwhile has earned a nod for International Male Solo Artist following a disappointing history with the Brits, which has seen him only ever win, and be nominated for, one gong - 2011's International Breakthrough Act.
His Brits nominations haul follow a 2016 Grammy nomination for Where Are U Now which is up for Best Dance Recording, again marking the Canadian star's first recognition in that awards since 2011.
Little Mix have picked up their first ever BRIT Award nominations for their video for Black Magic as well as a chance a British Single for the same track.
BRITs Chairman Max Lousada said: 'The nominations show what a great year it's been for British talent at all levels, from record-breaking previous BRIT Award winners to newer acts celebrating stellar debuts. Home-grown artists have not only dominated our own charts this year, they've won legions of fans the world over by representing British music at its best. We can look forward to a fantastic and hotly-contested Awards show this year.'
The official BRIT Awards nominations are based on votes cast by a Voting Academy, consisting of over 1,000 representatives from 15 sectors of the music industry.
The ceremony on February 24 is shaping up to be a star-studded affair with Adele leading the big name performers on the night.
He's up: Justin Bieber has earned a nod for International Male Solo Artist
The 27-year-old will make her return to the ceremony four years after her iconic rendition of Someone Like You at the 2011 Brits.
'You couldn't get a bigger name in music right now,' said Brits chairman Max Lousada of the stellar booking. 'Adele is having an exceptional moment and The Brits are delighted to be a part of her history, her present and future.'
Justin Bieber, Little Mix, Coldplay, The Weeknd, Jess Glynne and James Bay have also been added to the bill over the past week, with Jesy Nelson tearfully taking to Instagram to gush about Little Mix's debut performance at the awards.
'So last night we got told that this is happening! I cannot tell you how much I sobbed like a rite old cry baby, it has been our dream for 4 years to perform at the Brits and I cannot actually believe we are now finally doing it!!! We have the most insane fans and we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you guys!' the girlbander wrote.
Ant & Dec will return as hosts of the main show following their successful stint last year, while it's also been confirmed there will be a tribute to David Bowie following his death on January 10.
Congrats! Little Mix meanwhile have picked up their first ever BRIT Award for their video for Black Magic
Brits chairman Max Lousada said this week that the 'extraordinary life and work' of 'one of our greatest icons' would be honoured at the show, held at London's O2 arena.
'David Bowie was one of the most important and influential songwriters and performers ever and, like so many fans around the world, we're devastated to hear of his loss,' the chairman said in a statement.
'A visionary and ground-breaking pioneer, he has inspired generations of musicians and will continue to shape music for many years to come.
'Naturally, we wish to honour his extraordinary life and work at the forthcoming Brit Awards and pay a fitting tribute to one of our greatest icons. '
Bowie was named best British male at the 2014 Brit Awards with the gong accepted on his behalf by his friend Kate Moss who wore his famous Ziggy Stardust outfit.
Meanwhile designer Pam Hogg, who has created iconic outfits for the likes of Debbie Harry and Rihanna is behind this year's Brit Award.
Hogg has designed a series of awards, a different one for each category, with a glam-punk vibe to celebrate the 40th anniversary of punk.
Music fan: The stars turned out for the announcement of the 2016 BRIT Awards on Thursday, with Anais Gallagher leading the arrivals at the ITV Studios
Musical family: Noel Gallagher's teenage daughter showed off her natural beauty as she hit the red carpet
Eclectic ensemble: The Wanted star Jay McGuiness, who won last year's Strictly Come Dancing, chose a colourful look for the musical evening, teamed a patterned shirt with a clashing leopard print scarf
The stars turned out for the announcement of the 2016 BRIT Awards on Thursday.
Anais Gallagher and Jay McGuiness were among those who attended the big announcement at ITV studios, with Noel Gallagher's 15-year-old daughter showing off her nineties sense of style in a crop top and trainers.
The Wanted star Jay, who won last year's Strictly Come Dancing, chose a colourful look for the musical evening, teamed a patterned shirt with a clashing leopard print scarf.
Looking glam: Host Laura Whitmore meanwhile dressed up for her big moment, wowing in a blue checked suit
All dressed up: Kimberley Wyatt bought a touch of glam to the red carpet in a stunning lilac gown
Host Laura Whitmore meanwhile dressed up for her big moment, wowing in a blue checked suit.
The blonde beauty showed some skin, forgetting a shirt underneath her jacket while she added a pair of heeled ankle boots to the edgy look.
She finished the ensemble off with smoky eye makeup and left her long blonde locks loose.
Wowing them: Jess Glynne stunned in a plunging black jumpsuit for the nominations announcement
Boys are here: I'm A Celeb and Union J star George Shelley was also excited to hear the nominations while Jack Garratt, winner of this year's Critics Choice Award proudly showed off his Brit
On screens: Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo added a pop of colour to her chic black dress with pink suede heels
Glam girls: Birdy looked gorgeous in a denim jumpsuit as she joined AJ Odudu at the nominations announcement
Looking dapper: The Voice star Ricky Wilson was suave in a smart blazer and waistcoat combo
This year's prize: Pam Hogg has designed this year's statue, crafting a series of awards - a different one for each category - with a glam-punk vibe to celebrate the 40th anniversary of punk
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