"“I am truly humbled to win the BRITs Critics’ Choice award.  Being nominated was crazy enough, never mind winning it. I’m so grateful to everyone back home for believing, and to my band and team for all their hard work. We've played literally hundreds of shows this year, and we're going to go even harder in 2019. Most importantly, a big shout to my fans. I've met a lot of you over the last few years and it’s truly an honour to get up and play night after night to such a wonderful bunch of people. To everyone who’s taken a punt on me so far, thank you. Here's to next year!" - Sam Fender
"“I am truly humbled to win the BRITs Critics’ Choice award.  Being nominated was crazy enough, never mind winning it. I’m so grateful to everyone back home for believing, and to my band and team for all their hard work. We've played literally hundreds of shows this year, and we're going to go even harder in 2019. Most importantly, a big shout to my fans. I've met a lot of you over the last few years and it’s truly an honour to get up and play night after night to such a wonderful bunch of people. To everyone who’s taken a punt on me so far, thank you. Here's to next year!" - Sam Fender

The BRIT Awards 2019 with Mastercard have today announced that Sam Fender is the winner of the 2019 Critics’ Choice Award. Sam will be the first recipient of a 2019 BRIT Award, designed by Sir David Adjaye OBE.

The award arrives at an important moment in Sam’s musical career, one that has seen a very rapid ascent over the past few months. Having toured the UK and Europe relentlessly, building himself a loyal army of fans, this young Newcastle based musician writes honestly and candidly about subjects of social and generational significance, drawn from his experiences growing up in the North East. Sam wraps his pertinent words in rousing, propulsive, arena-sized anthems. The recently released debut EP ‘Dead Boys’ is a mighty statement of intent, recorded in his warehouse studio just a stone’s throw from the River Tyne.

Sam Fender said: “I am truly humbled to win the BRITs Critics’ Choice award.  Being nominated was crazy enough, never mind winning it. I’m so grateful to everyone back home for believing, and to my band and team for all their hard work. We've played literally hundreds of shows this year, and we're going to go even harder in 2019. Most importantly, a big shout to my fans. I've met a lot of you over the last few years and it’s truly an honour to get up and play night after night to such a wonderful bunch of people. To everyone who’s taken a punt on me so far, thank you. Here's to next year!”

BRITs Chairman and Chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland Jason Iley said:

"Many congratulations to Sam Fender on winning the BRITs Critics' Choice Award. He is an exceptional young artist, with a bright future ahead of him. This award has shone a spotlight on some of the most successful new acts for more than a decade, who between them have sold more than 90 million records, from Adele to Sam Smith, Florence and The Machine to Rag 'n' Bone Man. I wish Sam the very best and that he enjoys the same success as many of the previous winners have before him.”

Lewis Capaldi and Mahalia are this year’s runners up to overall winner Sam Fender. Since its inception in 2008, the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award has successfully identified the future stars of British music, with  previous winners including Adele, Florence + The Machine, Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, and last year’s winner Jorja Smith, who have all gone on to achieve phenomenal chart success both in the UK and globally. Collectively, the BRITs Critics’ Choice winners have sold over 90 million albums worldwide.

Voting for The BRIT Awards 2019 opens today - the nominations will be revealed in January 2019.