Stars hope for Brit Awards glory

Rapper Tinie Tempah, soul star Plan B and folk-rock act Mumford And Sons will be hoping for glory tonight at the UK's biggest music bash, the Brit Awards.

The trio of acts lead the field in the nominations but face a strong challenge from chart-topping Take That who bounced back with their original line-up in recent months.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

Organisers are trying to revamp the awards this year with an Oscars-style focus which will see the event reach a crescendo with the best album prize.

Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton will join stars such as Cheryl Cole and Kylie Minogue as a presenter.

Also handing over prizes at the star-studded event will by Dermot O'Leary and Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon and John Taylor.

Performers will include Rihanna, Arcade Fire and Take That, who are each plotting spectacular appearances, while rapper turned soul singer Plan B is said to be planning a flame-filled performance.

James Corden will host the event taking place for the first time at the O2 Arena, now one of the world's leading music venues, after many years at west London's Earl's Court.

Corden previously hosted with his Gavin And Stacey co-star Mathew Horne and Kylie Minogue in 2009.

He has already revealed he will be donating his fee to Comic Relief.

Tine Tempah leads the pack as he vies for four nominations, with the 22-year-old south Londoner in the running for best British male, British breakthrough act, best single and best album.

Plan B and Mumford And Sons each have three nominations, while Take That are up for two - best group and best album.

Another act on the shortlist three times are Mercury Prize-winners The xx.

Veteran rocker Robert Plant picked up his first ever Brits nomination in a career stretching back to the 60s, with a nod for best British male.

X Factor winner Matt Cardle will take on one of the show's judges, Cheryl Cole, in the battle for Best Single. The show's 2008 winner Alexandra Burke is also nominated for her track All Night Long.

Two of the winners have already been decided. Hotly tipped Jessie J, who is number one in the singles chart with Price Tag, has already been named as winner of the critics' choice prize this year, while Markus Dravs has been named as best producer. Dravs worked on Mumford And Sons' debut album Sigh No More and is currently working on the next Coldplay release.

Another change to the Brits this year sees a guest designer stepping in to make their mark on the trophy. For 2011, it is the turn of fashion darling Vivienne Westwood who has taken the basic Britannia-style trophy and swathed it in a Union flag with the slogan "Stop! Climate Change" printed on the plinth.