Ivor Novello Awards 2018: Ed Sheeran named Songwriter of the Year as Shape of You confirmed as biggest song of 2017

Winner: Ed Sheeran has won songwriter of the Year
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Ed Sheeran has been named songwriter of the year as his hit Shape of You was confirmed as the most played song of 2017.

The singer was in London for the Ivor Novello Awards which were handed out at a music industry bash at Grosvenor House in Park Lane.

Shape of You went straight to number one in the UK and US and stayed at the top here for 14 weeks, and went on to be number one in 34 different countries.

Other winners at today’s event include rising south London rapper Dave whose seven-minute long indictment of British politics, Question Time, was named best contemporary song.

Ivor Novello Awards 2018 - In pictures

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The track, which takes aim at prime ministers past and present as well as NHS Funding and the Grenfell Tower disaster, was praised for “the truth and execution of the lyrics” and its “outstanding originality”.

Also recognised were Billy Ocean, who picked up the international achievement award, and Lionel Richie who was praised for leaving “an indelible mark on British music”.

Crispin Hunt, who chairs industry body Basca which helps run the awards, said: “Our composers and songwriters prove, again and again, that they are some of the best on the world.

“It is an immense privilege for Basca to honour the extraordinary talent that exists in our sector, recognising creators across a vast range of contemporary music genres and awarding those who have created some of the most outstanding catalogues in music history.”

Other acts recognised at the event, which was set up in 1956 and named after the legendary theatre composer, included Billy Bragg for his “outstanding contribution to British Music” and Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan who was given the Inspiration Award.

Cathy Dennis, whose back catalogue includes hits such as Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head and Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl, was given the outstanding song collection award.

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