Take That up for BRITs

15 January 2008 - Take That, Mika and Leona Lewis are leading the way at this year's BRIT Awards, with four nominations each.

The three pop acts emerged as the biggest contenders for next month's glitzy ceremony when the nominations were announced at London's Roundhouse, in Camden, last night (14.01.08).

Take That are up for Best British Group, Best Live Act - which is one of three awards voted for by the public - and Best British Album for their comeback LP 'Beautiful World'. The group will be up against indie rockers the Arctic Monkeys in all three categories.

The reformed band are also hoping to scoop Best British Single for the second year running, after their hit song 'Shine' was nominated.

Also in the running for the prize are Lebanese singer Mika for his smash 'Grace Kelly' and 'X Factor' winner Leona for her UK number one 'Bleeding Love'. The winner will be voted for by the public live on the night.

Mika and Leona are also up for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Album, for their respective LPs 'Life In Cartoon Motion' and 'Spirit'.

Leona faces stiff competition from Bat For Lashes, Kate Nash, KT Tunstall and PJ Harvey for Best British Female Solo Artist. Mika has been pitted against Jamie T, Mark Ronson, Newton Faulkner and Richard Hawley for Best British Male Solo Artist.

Elsewhere, Kylie Minogue and Rihanna will battle it out for Best International Female Solo Artist and Best International Album.

In a shock snub, troubled 'Rehab' singer Amy Winehouse failed to receive any nominations, despite picking up six nods for next month's Grammys.

The winners will be announced at a star-studded ceremony at London's Earls Court on February 20.

The event will feature performances from Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson, Mika and Kylie, as well as Sir Paul McCartney - who will pick up the Outstanding Contribution To Music.

The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard full nominations list:

British Male Solo Artist

Jamie T

Mark Ronson

Mika

Newton Faulkner

Richard Hawley

British Female Solo Artist

Bat For Lashes

Kate Nash

KT Tunstall

Leona Lewis

PJ Harvey

British Group

Arctic Monkeys

Editors

Girls Aloud

Kaiser Chiefs

Take That

MasterCard British Album

Arctic Monkeys - 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'

Leona Lewis - 'Spirit'

Mark Ronson - 'Version'

Mika - 'Life In Cartoon Motion'

Take That - 'Beautiful World'

British Breakthrough Act - Top Five selected by the BRITs Academy. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners.

Bat For Lashes

Kate Nash

Klaxons

Leona Lewis

Mika

British Live Act - Nominees chosen by a panel of experts in association with The Live Music Forum. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners.

Arctic Monkeys

Kaiser Chiefs

Klaxons

Muse

Take That

British Single - Nominees voted for by UK Commercial Radio station listeners and The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column readers. Winner chosen live on the night.

Leona Lewis - 'Bleeding Love'

Mika - 'Grace Kelly'

Take That - 'Shine'

Kaiser Chiefs - 'Ruby'

Sugababes - 'About You Now'

Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse - 'Valerie'

Kate Nash - 'Foundations'

The Hoosiers - 'Worried About Ray'

James Blunt - '1973'

Mutua Buena - 'Real Girl'

International Male Solo Artist

Bruce Springsteen