James Corden with Philip Treacy styled BRIT Award 2014

The BRIT Awards 2014 with MasterCard Prestigious Critics’ Choice Award Shortlist Chlöe Howl Ella Eyre Sam Smith The BRIT Awards will take place on Wednesday 19th February 2014 at The O2, London Exclusively broadcast live on ITV Thursday 5th December Since launching in 2008 the Critics’ Choice Award has continued to successfully highlight and identify future British recording talent before it happens. Not only have previous winners enjoyed incredible domestic success but also international acclaim and collectively, the winners, to date, have sold in excess of 13 million albums worldwide. The award is chosen by a team of experts including the music editors of national newspapers, key music and lifestyle magazines and music websites plus the heads of music at major radio and music TV stations. The Award is open to artists signed to a label who are set to release their debut albums in 2014 and over 100 artists from a range of genres were considered for the award. Past Critics’ Choice Winners: 2008 Adele 2009 Florence & The Machine 2010 Ellie Goulding 2011 Jessie J 2012 Emeli Sandé 2013 Tom Odell Chlöe Howl 18-year-old Chlöe Howl was signed to Columbia Records within weeks of leaving school. Compared to the likes to Kate Nash and Lily Allen she has already supported John Newman on tour this year and released her first EP 'Rumour'. Her debut album with Grammy-winning writer and producer Eg White (Florence/Adele) is set for release in 2014. "I've followed the paths of the BRITs Critics' Choice artists since Adele won the first one when I was twelve. To be on the shortlist is incredible, and to be alongside two amazing artists is an honour. It's so exciting!" Ella Eyre Former BRIT School student and singer/songwriter Ella is best known for her collaborations this year with the likes of Rudimental on 'Waiting All Night' and Naughty Boy and Wiz Khalifa on their single 'Think About It'. With other collaborations with Bastille already under her belt and her debut EP 'Deeper' dropping this month 2014 looks set to be a big year for her. “It's overwhelming to be nominated for a BRIT Award, to think that two years ago I was at The BRIT Awards on a school trip, and to be considered now is crazy!" Sam Smith After reaching #1 in The UK Singles Chart collaborating with London producer Naughty Boy on the global smash 'La, La, La', alongside featuring on Disclosure's hit single 'Latch', Sam Smith is fast becoming his own name in the UK music scene with his first solo EP 'Nirvana' also released this year. “I have watched the BRITs religiously for many years growing up. The people who have won before are to this day some of my favourite artists and biggest inspirations. So to even be up for this award is completely overwhelming for me. I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am!”

The BRIT Awards 2014 Committee hosted drinks for the Critics' Choice Award voters at the Cafe Royal, London.