Jorja Smith named 2018 BRITs Critics' Choice winner

The BRIT Awards have announced the winner of the 2018 BRITs Critics' Choice Award, with Walsall-born singer Jorja Smith named as the recipient of this year's award. Smith had been named on an all-femle shortlist that also included Swedish singer-songwriter Mabel and British rapper and singer Stefflon Don.

Smith responded to this morning's news with a tweet showing her pictured with the award, a new design for this year masterminded by sculptor Anish Kapoor:

Speechless!!!Can’t believe I’m the Brits Critics’ Choice for 2018, such an honour & dream. First independent artist to be nominated & win. Being in a female shortlist w @MabelMcvey & @stefflondon who’ve had incredible 2017’s is amazing.Huge Thank U to my team &all who support me! pic.twitter.com/Z1uJOkt0Ko

— JMoney (@JorjaSmith) 4 December 2017

The award comes at the end of a year that has seen the singer collaborate with Canadian supeerstar Drake, as well as releasing her debut single 'Blue Lights'. Speaking after the announcement, Smith said: “I cannot believe it, it's been an unforgettable 2017 during which I've fulfilled so many of my dreams and this is such a special way to end the year... and to be part of an all female shortlist alongside Mabel and Stefflon Don, who've both had incredible 2017s, makes it even better! There's lots more to come in 2018 from all of us and I will do my best to make it another memorable year!”

Smith will be officially presented with the award on January 13th at the BRIT nominations launch, where the singer is also due to perfrom. Previous winners of the award include Adele, James Bay, Sam Smith and Florence + The Machine.

This year's award ceremony is due to be held in London at the O2 and will be broadcast live on ITV from 7:30pm on Wednesday February 21st.