Four Brit nominations for Lily Allen

Pop newcomer Lily Allen leads the nominations for the Brit Awards, which were announced tonight.

The 21-year-old - unknown to all but her Myspace friends this time last year - is nominated in four categories including Best British Female.

She is also in the running for Best British Breakthrough Act, Best British Album for Alright Still and Best British Single for Smile.

Her rivals in the Best British Female category are Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia and Nerina Pallot.

Bailey Rae has two further nominations - Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single for Put Your Records On. Winehouse has a Best British Album nomination for Back To Black.

Pallot is the least known of the five. The part-French, part-Indian singer-songwriter grew up on the Channel Island of Jersey. She was dropped by her record album in 2001 and considered quitting the business altogether.

But her second album Fires, released independently, sold 10,000 copies via the internet and after-gig sales before it was picked up by a major label.

Best British Male is a five-way race between James Morrison, Jarvis Cocker, Lemar, Paolo Nutini and Thom Yorke.

Both former Pulp star Cocker and Radiohead frontman Yorke released solo efforts last year.

Cocker will forever be associated with the Brits after invading the stage in 1996 during a Michael Jackson performance.

BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST

James Morrison

Jarvis Cocker

Lemar

Paolo Nutini

Thom Yorke

BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

Amy Winehouse

Corinne Bailey Rae

Jamelia

Lily Allen

Nerina Pallot

BRITISH GROUP

Arctic Monkeys

Kasabian

Muse

Razorlight

Snow Patrol

MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM

Amy Winehouse – Back To Black

Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

Lily Allen – Alright Still

Muse – Black Holes & Revelations

Snow Patrol – Eyes Open

BRITISH SINGLE SHORTLIST

Corinne Bailey Rae – Put Your Records On

The Feeling – Fill My Little World

James Morrison – You Give Me Something

The Kooks – She Moves In Her Own Way

Leona Lewis – A Moment Like This

Lily Allen – Smile

Razorlight – America

Sandi Thom – I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker

Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars

Take That – Patience

Will Young – All Time Love

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT

Corinne Bailey Rae

The Fratellis

James Morrison

The Kooks

Lily Allen

BRITISH LIVE ACT

George Michael

Guillemots

Kasabian

Muse

Robbie Williams

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST

Beck

Bob Dylan

Damien Rice

Jack Johnson

Justin Timberlake

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

Beyonce

Cat Power

Christina Aguilera

Nelly Furtado

Pink

INTERNATIONAL GROUP

The Flaming Lips

Gnarls Barley

The Killers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Scissor Sisters

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM

Bob Dylan – Modern Times

Gnarls Barkley – St Elsewhere

Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds

The Killers – Sam’s Town

Scissor Sisters – Ta-Dah

INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT

Gnarls Barkley

Orson

The Raconteurs

Ray Lamontagne

Wolfmother

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC

Oasis