Tom Odell has been crowned the winner of the BRITs 2013 Critics’ Choice Award, beating off competition from Laura Mvula and AlunaGeorge. The announcement was made via the BRIT Awards’ official Twitter page this evening.
The 22 year old has become the first male winner of the award following in the footsteps of Adele and Ellie Goulding. After recently releasing his debut EP Songs From Another Love, Odell has gained critical acclaim and attention for his ethereal single ‘Another Love’.
On winning the award, Odell said:
“I’m thrilled and honoured to win the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award. I genuinely can’t believe it. Thank you so much. Looking at the list of amazing female artists who have won the Award already, I just hope I don’t let the boys down!”
The award is open to any British artist set to release their debut album in 2013, and the winner is selected by a team of music experts from magazines, websites, newspapers, radio and television. Last year’s champion Emeli Sandé has since gone on to perform at the Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, along with achieving a number 1 album with Our Version Of Events, and 3 top 10 singles.
The full list of nominees for the BRIT Awards will be announced on January 10th, prior to the 33rd edition of the ceremony which will be presented by James Corden at the O2 Arena in London on February 20th.
