BRIT Awards shake up

The Brit Awards 2011 are set for a big shake up.

It's been announced February's awards ceremony, to be held at the O2 Arena, will not include the 'Outstanding Contribution' which was won last year by Robbie Williams.

The climax of the evening will be the presentation of the MasterCard British Album Of The Year Award. Short films about the nominated albums will be played throughout the night. You will be helping to find the Best British single - one of the most coveted awards of the evening.

In another break from tradition the Brits statues handed out to the winners will be restyled each year by "leading British creative individuals". The first makeover will be made by fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

Brits chairman David Joseph commented: "Vivienne stands for all the things we want to inspire in tomorrow's generation of artists."

Plus for the first time ever artists will be on the Voting Academy. The current Academy is made up of music critics, radio producers, music publishers, promoters, retailers and record labels. This year all 2010 winners and nominees will join the panel.

David Joseph says: "Considering that artists are the single most valuable part of our industry, inviting them to join the Voting Academy is an obvious step to make.  For an artist to know that their work is also appreciated and respected by other artists will add another unique dimension to winning a BRIT Award."

The Nominations for The BRIT Awards 2011 with MasterCard will be announced on Thursday 13th January at IndigO2, inside the O2.

Full list of 2011 categories, of which there are 12 Awards:

British - 7

1.    Male
2.    Female
3.    Breakthrough
4.    Single - supported by listeners of Capital Radio and users of iTunes
5.    Group
6.    Critics Choice in association with War Child
7.    MasterCard British Album of the Year


International - 5

1.    Male
2.    Female
3.    Breakthrough
4.    Album
5.    Group