A new generation of British songwriters took the top prizes at the 55th Ivor Novello awards in London today.
Lily Allen, who won three awards, Paolo Nutini, and Natasha Khan, aka Bat for Lashes, were honoured at a ceremony that remains popular with artists both for its celebration of the songwriting craft and its refusal to allow cameras into the auditorium.
Allen won in the categories for best song musically and lyrically, most performed work (for her track The Fear), and songwriter of the year (alongside Greg Kurstin). Collecting her second prize and overcome by tears, Allen said "this song is so much about feeling lost in a lot of ways. All of a sudden, this has made me feel found."
Nutini, whose Sunny Side Up topped the charts last year, claimed best album while Khan won best song for Daniel. Khan, who has been compared to Kate Bush, said: "Who would have thought when I was sitting in bed writing this in my pyjamas, that I'd be standing here today."
