Celeste: BBC Sound of 2020 awarded to singer who was 'fired for pulling sickies to write songs'

'It's like all the work that went in throughout last year wasn’t invisible'

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This year’s BBC Sound of 2020 poll has been announced.

Topping the annual list of music acts predicted to achieve big success in the industry over the coming year is soul singer Celeste.

“I’m really, really happy – it’s like all of the work that went in throughout the [last] year wasn’t invisible,” the singer – full name Celeste Waite – said after topping the list.

“I can’t wait now to see what the rest of the year will look like. I’m so thrilled and so excited. I can’t wait.”

Celeste was born in Los Angeles but grew up in the UK, near Brighton. She recently told the BBC that she was once fired from a job as she kept calling in sick so she could write songs instead.

Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac said of Celeste: “Her songwriting is personal and poignant but with universal appeal. I think she could easily join the long list of Sound Of winners who went on to be global stars.”

The Sound of... list began in 2003 and was won by rapper 50 Cent. The results are decided by a panel of DJs, journalists, festival bookers and bloggers.

Previous winners include Adele, Ellie Goulding and Years & Years. Runners-up this include alternative band Easy Life and emo singer-songwriter Yungblud.