Brit Awards - Brit Awards Nominations: Ed Sheeran Rules The Roost

Sheeran has amassed a huge following in the past 12 months, mainly off the back of his smash hit singles The A Team and Lego House. His debut album also shot to the top of the chart upon release. Though he has four chances to pick up an award on the night, Ed will no doubt be eyeing the prestigious Best British Male title, in which he is pitted against James Blake, Noel Gallagher, James Morrison and Professor Green. He is also up for Best British Single, though that category is effectively a lottery, with nine other acts contending for the prize. Elsewhere, Florence and the Machine and Coldplay are up for a pair of prizes each, while the hotly tipped Emeli Sande has already bagged the award for Critics Choice. In one of the tightest categories, Sheeran will go up against Anna Calvi, The Vaccines and Jessie J for 'Best British Breakthrough Act'. Best British Female is likely to go to Adele, though the songstress will have to fend off competition from Florence, Laura Marling, Jessie J and Kate Bush, who last won the prize 25 years ago.

Nominations for the awards were announced at an event at London's Savoy Hotel on Thursday. This year's shortlisted acts will be competing for trophies designed by pop artist Sir Peter Blake, best known as the man behind The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band sleeve. Blur have already been named the winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.