English Teacher has been announced as the winner of this year’s Mercury Prize, with the album This Could Be Texas.
The band were emotional on stage after winning the prize, with their debut studio album.
This year’s Mercury Prize ceremony took place for the first time at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, a move from the Hammersmith Apollo.
English Teacher follows in the footsteps of Ezra Collective in 2023, as well as other recent honourees including Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, Dave and Wolf Alice.
First won by Primal Scream’s Screamadelica in 1992, the award celebrates music by British and Irish acts, from veteran stars to newcomers – recognising the 12 best albums of the year and potentially putting artists who are not huge names on the map.
Mercury Prize 2024 – the 12 shortlisted albums
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land?
BERWYN – Who Am I
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
Cat Burns – Early Twenties
Charli XCX – Brat
CMAT – Crazymad, for Me
Corinne Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows
corto.alto – Bad With Names
English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
Ghetts – On Purpose, with Purpose
Nia Archives – Silence Is Loud
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
Pulp’s Different Class, Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner, and Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not are some of the biggest albums to have been recognised over the years.
Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys are the most shortlisted acts, with both featuring on five different occasions – although only Arctic Monkeys have a win. Both the band’s frontmen have also been nominated on separate occasions; Alex Turner with The Last Shadow Puppets, and Thom Yorke for his solo debut.
PJ Harvey is the only artist to date with two wins, from four nominations.
The 2024 ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and author Annie Mac and BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Huw Stephens, while judges included broadcaster and writer Danielle Perry, musician and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Jamie Cullum, DJ and BBC Radio 6 Music broadcaster Jamz Supernova, DJ and broadcaster MistaJam, and The Times’ rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson.
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Albums with a UK release date between 15 July 2023 and 12 July 2024 were eligible this year.
The judges said in a statement: “This has been a really tough year for the Mercury Prize judges, with the final 12 albums being so reflective of our diverse and rich musical landscape. There was so much passion and enthusiasm for each one.
“In the end, though, we did agree that This Could Be Texas by English Teacher stands out for its originality and character.
“A winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly, displays a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format.
“This Could Be Texas reveals new depths on every listen; the mark of a future classic.
“The Mercury Prize was set up to celebrate the album as an artistic format in its own right and all the judges agreed that this charismatic body of work deserves to be the 2024 Mercury Prize Album of the Year.”
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Hit British series Baby Reindeer was among the big winners at this year’s Emmy Awards – as Shogun made history and there were also big wins for The Bear and Hacks.
Richard Gadd, who created and starred in the popular but controversial drama Baby Reindeer, collected awards for writing and starring in the limited series category, while co-star Jessica Gunning was named best supporting actress.
Japanese historical drama Shogun became the first non-English language show to be named best drama, and also set a record for the most single-season Emmywins – taking home four prizes on the night to make it 18 in total, following previous gongs at the creative arts event handed out earlier this month.
The Bear picked up four awards in the comedy categories, including wins for stars Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colon-Zayas, while Hacks took the overall win for best comedy series.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Debicki also won her first Emmy for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales, in fictionalised royal drama The Crown.
On stage, Gadd, 35, said it was “stuff of dreams” as he accepted awards for outstanding limited or anthology series, best writing, and lead actor for Baby Reindeer, which is said to be inspired by his real-life experiences.
The show sees his character Donny Dunn stalked by a woman called Martha. After becoming a viral hit earlier this year, the programme made international headlines after a woman claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging the story is inaccurate.
In his acceptance speech for the writing award, Gadd said: “Ten years ago, I was down and out. I never ever thought I’d get my life together… then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.
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“I don’t mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time right now to persevere… if you’re struggling, keep going – keep going and I promise you things will be okay.”
Accepting her supporting actress prize, Gunning said she was “incredibly proud” to be part of the show. “Thank you for trusting me to be your Martha,” she said to Gadd. “I will never, ever forget her or you or this.”
This year’s Emmys ceremony, held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, was also a huge success for Shogun. The show launched in February and is based on James Clavell’s best-selling novel, set during the 1600s.
Stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai became the first Japanese actors to win Emmys in the dramatic acting categories.
Sanada, who received a standing ovation, told the audience he was “beyond honoured”, and added: “Shogun taught me that when people work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together.”
A tearful Sawai, a first-time nominee, said: “I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today. This to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone.”
Baby Reindeer and Shogun were not the only shows to receive multiple prizes, with hit series The Bear also a big winner.
In their opening monologue, father-son hosting duo Eugene and Dan Levy joked that the show, which depicts the stresses of life working in a professional kitchen and stars Jeremy Allen White as a chef running the family business after the death of his brother – would be better off categorised as a drama.
Allen White described himself as “so, so, so lucky” after picking up the Emmy for lead actor in a comedy series for his role as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto.
“This show has changed my life, it has instilled a faith that change is possible, that change is possible if you are able to reach out, you are really truly not actually alone,” he said in his acceptance speech.
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The Bear star Liza Colon-Zayas gets political
His co-stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colon-Zayas also picked up the awards for best supporting actor and actress in a comedy.
This is the second Emmys ceremony this year, after the September 2023 event was postponed to January 2024 due to the US writers’ and actors’ strikes.
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Nominees and celebrity guests hit the red carpet in style ahead of this year’s Emmy Awards.
British shows The Crown, with 18 nominations, and Baby Reindeer, with 11, were among this year’s biggest contenders, rubbing shoulders with The Bear, Shogun, Only Murders In The Building, and True Detective: Night Country.
This is the second Emmy Awards ceremony of the year, after the 2023 event was delayed to January because of the Hollywood writers’ strike.
Tito Jackson, an original member of The Jackson 5 and brother of the late Michael Jackson, has died.
A family member confirmed the news to Sky News’ US partner network NBC LA.
Tito was an original member of The Jackson 5 along with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, who died in 2009.
He was also father to Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, who found fame as R’n’B/pop trio 3T in the 1990s.
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