Music stars set for Brit Awards

Adele, Ed Sheeran, Noel Gallagher and Florence & The Machine are among the artists who will perform at the ceremony at the O2 Arena in London. Sheeran leads the field with four nominations - best male, breakthrough act, best single and best album. Adele, whose performance at last year's ceremony was the catalyst for her huge global success, is up for three prizes. The north London singer is the hot favourite to win best British female and best British album for 21, her second record. She is also in the running for best British single and will sing Rolling at the Deep at this year's event in what is only her second live performance since having throat surgery last year. Speaking on the red carpet, Sheeran said he was glad to be up against Adele in only two of his four categories. "It's a good time to be male," he said. The 21-year-old said he was not holding out hope of beating Adele in the best album category, predicting: "She's going to clean up regardless." Jessie J is also up for three prizes, while reformed Britpop favourites Blur will pick up a lifetime achievement prize. Arriving at the venue, bassist Alex James said: "I feel very grateful but I'm more excited about playing than anything. My heart's actually beating quite fast." The group will perform a five-song medley at the ceremony, with actor Phil Daniels due to join them for their hit Parklife. Sheeran's record + is nominated for best British album, along with Adele's 21, Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto, Florence & The Machine's Ceremonials and PJ Harvey's Let England Shake. Sheeran competes with rapper Professor Green, James Blake, James Morrison and Noel Gallagher for best male. Adele is up against Jessie J, Florence & The Machine, Kate Bush and last year's winner Laura Marling in the best British female category. For best single - voted for by listeners of Capital FM - bookmakers suggest One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful will beat Adele's Someone Like You. Comic actor James Corden will host the ceremony, to be screened on ITV1 from 20:00 GMT. From: BBC