Sam Smith leads 2015 BRIT Awards nominations with five nods

Singers Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran are among the biggest nominees for the 2015 BRIT Awards.
Smith, 22, leads the pack with five nods including British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act. His hit 'Stay With Me' is up for British Single and British Video while its parent album In the Lonely Hour is nominated for British Album of the Year.
Sheeran, 23, trailing behind with four, will battle Smith in all categories he is nominated in. In addition to vying for the British Male Solo Artist title, the gingerhead has his 'Thinking Out Loud' in contention for British Single and British Video, and his X for British Album of the Year.

George Ezra, One Direction, FKA twigs, Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, Royal Blood and Alt-J are among other artists with multiple BRIT nominations.
Beyonce Knowles, Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey are in the running for International Female Solo Artist while Pharrell Williams is pitted against John Legend, Jack White, Hozier and Beck for International Male Solo Artist.
Winners in all categories will be announced at a ceremony at London's O2 Arena on February 25. Along with fellow nominees Ezra and Royal Blood, Paloma Faith will perform at the event hosted by British comedy duo Ant & Dec.