Ed Sheeran has been nominated for best British male solo artist at the 2018 Brit Awards, alongside four artists who released their debut solo albums last year.
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, London rapper Loyle Carner, grime star Stormzy and soulful singer Rag'N'Bone Man join Sheeran on the shortlist for the prize which was posthumously won by David Bowie in 2017.
In the best British female solo artist category, 2015 winner Paloma Faith faces stiff competition from newcomer Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, Kate Tempest, and Laura Marling.
Reflecting a remarkable breakthrough year for the 22-year-old, Dua Lipa leads the nominations for this year's Brit Awards, collecting five nods in total, including best British female solo artist.
Damon Albarn's animated outfit Gorillaz are nominated for best British group alongside London Grammar, Royal Blood, Wolf Alice and The xx.
In the British breakthrough act category, Mercury Prize-winner Sampha will compete with Dua Lipa and a trio of rappers in J Hus, Loyle Carner and Dave.
Ed Sheeran's record-breaking third album Divide has been nominated for the Brits album of the year prize.
The singer-songwriter's 2017 release will compete with a quartet of debut albums including Stormzy's Gang Signs And Prayer and Rag'N'Bone Man's Human.

Dua Lipa's eponymous debut release and afrobeats rapper J Hus's Common Sense are also up for the prestigious prize which was won posthumously by David Bowie at last year's ceremony.
Meanwhile, former One Direction members Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik will turn into rivals as they earned nods in the British artist video of the year prize category.
Also shortlisted are Anne-Marie's Ciao Adios, Calvin Harris's Feels featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean, Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson collaboration Symphony, Dua Lipa's New Rules, Ed Sheeran's Shape Of You and Little Mix's Touch.
Jonas Blue's Mama Ft William Singe completes the 10-strong shortlist for the prize, which is voted for by fans.
The full list of nominations are:
British Album of the Year
Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran - Divide
J Hus - Common Sense
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man - Humour
Stormzy - Gang Signs & Prayer.
British Male Solo Artist
Ed Sheeran
Liam Gallagher
Loyle Carner
Rag'n'Bone Man
Stormzy
British Female Solo Artist
Paloma Faith
Kate Tempest
Jessie Ware
Laura Marling
Dua Lipa
British Group
Wolf Alice
Gorillaz
London Grammar
The XX
Royal Blood

British Breakthrough
Dave
Dua Lipa
J Hus
Loyle Carner
Sampha
Critics’ Choice Award
Jorja Smith - WINNER!
Mabel
Stefflon Don
British Single of the Year
Liam Payne - Strip That Down featuring Quavo
Jax Jones feat. Raye - You Don't Know Me
Clean Bandit - Symphony featuring Zara Larsson
Rag'n'Bone Man - Human
J HUS - Did You See
Calvin Harris - Feels featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean
Dua Lipa - New Rules
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You
Jonas Blue - Mama featuring William Singe
Little Mix - Touch

International Female Solo Artist
Taylor Swift
Lorde
Bjork
P!nk
Alicia Keys
International Male Solo Artist
Kendrick Lemar
Childish Gambino
Drake
Beck
DJ Khaled
International Group
Foo Fighters
Arcade Fire
LCD Soundsystem
Haim
The Killers
