Religious Acts Lead Classical Brits Nominations

The Pope's best-selling record Alma Mater - Music From the Vatican has been nominated for the coveted Album Of The Year prize, and will go up against The Priests' second offering Harmony.

The religious acts face competition from a string of reality TV stars, including Britain's Got Talent singer Faryl Smith and The X Factor's Rhydian Roberts, as well as male voice choir Only Men Aloud, Camilla Kerslake, Blake, Howard Goodall and The Coldstream Guards.

The nominees are the 10 biggest-selling classical albums of the past 12 months.

The award, which is voted for by the British public, will be announced at a ceremony in London on 13 May (10).