Blunt and Chiefs lead Brit nominees list

James Blunt and the Kaiser Chiefs are leading the list of nominees for this year's Brit Awards, picking up five nominations each.

Blunt, who scored huge success with his massive hit single 'You're Beautiful' and debut album 'Back to Bedlam' last year, is nominated for best British male solo artist, breakthrough artist and pop act, as well as best British single and album.

The Kaiser Chiefs, who released their debut album 'Employment' last year, scored nominations for best British group, breakthrough act, rock act, best British album, and best live act.

Coldplay, who released their third album 'X&Y' to tremendous acclaim last year, collected four nominations, for best British group, live act, album and single

Robbie Williams, who has already won 14 Brit awards, was nominated again for best British male solo artists, alongside James Blunt, Ian Brown, Will Young and Mercury Music Prize winner Antony and the Johnsons.

Singer-songwriter Kate Bush, whose 'Aerial' album - her first release for 12 years - was nominated for best British album, also picked up a nomination for best British female artist, alongside Charlotte Church, Katie Melua, KT Tunstall and Natasha Bedingfield.

Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall also collected nominations for best breakthrough act and best live act.

Animated band Gorillaz, the project founded by Blur vocalist Damon Albarn, picked up two nominations for best British group and album for their second release, 'Demon Days'.

Arctic Monkeys, one of the year's most talked about bands, collected a nomination for best breakthrough act, although they have yet to release their debut album.

Craig David, Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Lemar and Ms Dynamite were all nominated in the best British urban act category.

Oasis, whose latest album 'Don't Believe The Truth' was hailed as a return to form, picked up two nominations for best British rock act and best live act.

Madonna, who returned to the scene with her disco-inspired 'Confessions on a Dancefloor' album, collected three nominations in three categories - for international female solo artist, international album and pop act.

Canadian act, Arcade Fire, were also nominated in both the international group and international breakthrough artist categories, while their album, 'Funeral', was nominated for best international album.

Paul Weller will also be honoured at this year's ceremony for his outstanding contribution to music.

The 2006 Brit Awards will take place on February 15 and will be hosted by Chris Evans.

(KMcA)