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Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Raye and Ghetts are among the artists nominated for this year’s Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting, along with a nod for Wham!’s Last Christmas.

Lola Young, whose single Messy was a huge hit in 2024, leads with three nominations, for best album, best song musically and lyrically, and the rising star award.

Other acts in the running for Ivors include Fontaines DC, BERWYN, Myles Smith, Laura Marling, JADE, Bashy, Conor Dickinson and Jordan Rakei.

Nominated composers also include writers for Oscar nominees including The Substance and The Zone Of Interest, hit shows such as Black Doves and Rivals, and games including Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Farewell North.

Wham pictured in September 1984, three months before Last Christmas was released
Image:
Wham! pictured in September 1984, three months before Last Christmas was released

And Wham! receive their nomination for Last Christmas as one of PRS for Music’s top five most performed songs of 2024 – a posthumous nod for George Michael, almost 30 years after his last win in 1997, for the single Fastlove. Despite never making it to number one when it was released in 1984, Last Christmas has topped the charts at Christmas for the last two years.

The festive track is up against Harry Styles‘ 2022 hit As It Was, which is in contention for the third year running, Dua Lipa‘s Houdini, Stargazing by Myles Smith, and Prada by Casso, RAYE and D-Block Europe.

The Ivors recognise creative musical achievement in songwriting and composition, and also celebrate a number of singer-songwriters and groups for their wider contribution to UK music. This year’s ceremony marks the 70th anniversary of the awards, and will take place on 22 May in London.

Charli XCX made it a Brat BRITs. Pic: Reuters
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Charli XCX’s Brat is in the running for best album. Pic: Reuters

Some 74 composers and songwriters have been nominated this year, with two-thirds – including Young – up for awards for the first time.

It has already been announced that U2 will be inducted into the Academy Fellowship “in recognition of their enduring influence and impact on the craft of songwriting”. The bandmates – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr – will become the first Irish songwriters to be inducted, following in the footsteps of artists including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush and last year’s recipient, Bruce Springsteen.

Artists including Raye, Lana Del Rey, Skepta and KT Tunstall were also among last year’s winners.

Tom Gray, chair of The Ivors Academy, described the event as “the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar”.

Congratulating the 2025 nominees, he added: “It’s a huge privilege for the Ivors Academy to champion music creation in all its forms.”

Here are this year’s nominees.

Dua Lipa performing at Glastonbury in June. Pic: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
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Dua Lipa’s Houdini is among the song nominees. Pic: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

BEST ALBUM
Brat – Charli XCX, AG Cook and Finn Keane
On Purpose, With Purpose – Ghetts and TenBillion Dreams
The Loop – Jordan Rakei
This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway – William Brown, Conor Dickinson, Jared Solomon and Lola Young
Who Am I – Berwyn

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG
Allergy – Felix Joseph, Alastair O’Donnell and Pa Salieu
Angel Of My Dreams – Pablo Bowman, JADE, Steph Jones and Mike Sabath
Circumnavigating Georgia – Sans Soucis
Double Standards – Ghetts, EMIL, Sampha Sisay and R-Kay
How Black Men Lose Their Smile – Bashy, Toddla T and Linton Kwesi Johnson

BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY
Child Of Mine – Laura Marling
Genesis – Rodney Jerkins, RAYE and Toneworld
In The Modern World – Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan, Thomas Coll and Carlos O’Connell (Fontaines DC)
Messy – Conor Dickinson and Lola Young
Mine – Orla Gartland

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK
As It Was – Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles
Houdini – Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Dua Lipa and Kevin Parker
Last Christmas – George Michael
Prada – D-Block Europe, Obi Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Uche Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Jahmori “Jaymo” Simmons and RAYE
Stargazing – Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith

RISING STAR AWARD
Bea And Her Business
Liang Lawrence
Lola Young
LULU.
Nia Smith

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
Fly Me To The Moon – Daniel Pemberton
Hard Truths – Gary Yershon
Kneecap – Michael “Mickey J” Asante
The Substance – composed by Raffertie
The Zone Of Interest – Mica Levi

BEST ORIGINAL VIDEO GAME SCORE
Empire Of The Ants – Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi
Farewell North – John Konsolakis
Flock – Eli Rainsberry
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – David Garcia Diaz
The Casting Of Frank Stone – Boxed Ape

BEST TV SOUNDTRACK
Black Doves – Martin Phipps
Mary & George – Oliver Coates
Rivals – Jack Halama and Natalie Holt
True Detective: Night Country – Vince Pope
Until I Kill You – Carly Paradis

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Jonathan Pie: British satirist’s free speech warning to UK after Jimmy Kimmel show taken off air

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Jonathan Pie: British satirist's free speech warning to UK after Jimmy Kimmel show taken off air

The UK has to be “careful” and protect free speech as debate becomes “more and more toxic” on both sides of the Atlantic, a British satirist has said.

Tom Walker, better known as the ranting fictitious newsreader Jonathan Pie, has issued the warning after US talk show Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air for comments he made following the death of Charlie Kirk.

Speaking to Niall Paterson on the Sky News Daily podcast, Walker said he believes he wouldn’t be able work as a satirist in America today as the Trump administration appears to be cracking down on those who speak out against him.

Tom Walker as his satirical creation. Pic: Jonathan Pie
Image:
Tom Walker as his satirical creation. Pic: Jonathan Pie

He added: “I genuinely don’t think I would be allowed into the country. That might sound dramatic, but they go through your social media posts. I think Trump thinks that not agreeing with him is anti-American, whereas it’s not, it’s anti-Trump, it’s anti-Republican. So a lot of my posts would be seen as anti-American.”

Walker went viral in 2016 after posting a clip of Jonathan Pie passionately blaming “the left” for Mr Trump’s victory in the US election the same year.

The comedian argued that left-leaning people had “lost the art” of engaging with anyone with a different opinion to them and urged them to “stop thinking everyone who disagrees with you is evil, racist or sexist or stupid”.

Asked by Niall if he believes Kimmel, who has a long history of speaking out against Mr Trump, is partly responsible for the rise of the populist president, Walker said: “No, I don’t… Most of these late-night hosts are left-leaning and Trump is an own goal for satire.

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“I don’t think there was much that Jimmy Kimmel said in his monologue the other day that was anywhere near as divisive as the rhetoric coming from Donald Trump or (vice president) JD Vance, so there is an inherent hypocrisy there.”

However, Walker believes “right-wingers” are not the only reason free speech is under a “huge amount of threat in America”.

The satirist, who counts himself as being left-wing, continued: “I think the left have enabled a culture where people don’t feel that they’re able to express their views.

“The left-wing were the flag-bearers of cancel culture. And now it’s sort of coming back to bite us in a terrifying way.”

Kimmel was taken off air months after US talk show host Stephen Colbert had his show cancelled – something his fans have attributed to his criticism of Mr Trump.

Read more:
Ted Cruz blasts ‘mafioso’ threats over Kimmel suspension

What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
US talk show hosts react to Jimmy Kimmel cancellation

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US talk show titans speak out

Meanwhile, the US president appeared to encourage NBC to cancel the talk shows of Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers in a Truth Social post on Thursday. Both presenters are known to have made jokes about Mr Trump in the past.

Asked whether the UK should be worried about free speech apparently being targeted in the UK in a similar way, Walker said: “I think that there are issues of free speech in this country. I don’t think it is quite as bad as what’s happening in America, but we have to be careful. The debate on both sides of the Atlantic is becoming more and more toxic, I think. And it’s divide and conquer. ‘You’re either with me or you’re against me’. And I think both sides have to take some responsibility for that.”

Walker pointed out that when he posted a satirical video on X called “The Death Of Discourse” in relation to the Kirk assassination, he was attacked by social media users on both the left and right of politics.

He added: “I think that’s the problem… We have forgotten how to talk and listen to people that we fundamentally disagree with.”

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Canada bans Kneecap from entering country as rappers threaten legal action

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Canada bans Kneecap from entering country as rappers threaten legal action

Canada has banned rap group Kneecap from entering the country for allegedly ‘glorifying terrorist organisations’.

The trio, who were due to play four concerts in Canada next month, were accused of promoting hate and violence by the country’s Liberal government.

Kneecap have subsequently threatened Canada’s parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, Vince Gasparro, with legal action.

Mr Gasparro said in a video on X that members of the group had been deemed ineligible to enter the country because of actions and statements that violate Canadian law.

He also accused the group of amplifying political violence and publicly displaying support for terrorist organisations, including Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and Hamas in Gaza.

Mr Chara accused Israel of committing war crimes at Glastonbury. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Mr Chara accused Israel of committing war crimes at Glastonbury. Pic: Reuters

Mr Gasparro said: “Advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organisations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community are not protected forms of expression and will not be tolerated by our government.”

Commenting on the X post, Kneecap said: “Your comments about us are wholly untrue and deeply malicious. We will not accept it.

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“No member of Kneecap has been convicted of ANY crime in ANY country EVER.”

The band added: “We have today instructed our lawyers to initiate action against you. We will be relentless in defending ourselves against baseless accusations to silence our opposition to genocide being committed by Israel.

“When we beat you in court, which we will, we will donate every cent to assist some of the thousands of child amputees in Gaza.”

Canada’s immigration ministry did not immediately respond to a request for more details.

This is the latest in a series of controversial incidents involving the Belfast-based band.

During the Glastonbury Festival in June, Kneecap‘s frontman Liam Og O Hannaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, accused Israel of committing war crimes. Israel has denied the accusation.

Kneecap were due to play four shows next month. Pic: PA
Image:
Kneecap were due to play four shows next month. Pic: PA

Kneecap have previously said its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah.

They added that they condemn “all attacks on civilians, always”.

In May, Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah during a London gig in November 2024.

He denied the allegation, saying it was thrown on stage during the performance.

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case later this month.

Kneecap were scheduled to play four Canadian concerts in October, two in Toronto and two in Vancouver, according to its website.

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‘Bad boys of magic’ Penn & Teller inducted into Magic Circle after 50 years of being barred

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'Bad boys of magic' Penn & Teller inducted into Magic Circle after 50 years of being barred

Penn & Teller have finally been inducted into the Magic Circle – after 50 years of being denied membership.

Rock stars of magic, Penn & Teller found fame in the mid-1980s, earning them fans on both sides of the pond, but their habit of explaining their tricks to the audience also earned them magical disapproval.

The duo were famously barred from the Magic Circle for exposing their tricks as part of their act, flying in the face of the organisation’s belief in keeping magical secrets from the public.

Formed in 1905, the Magic Circle currently has around 1,750 members from around the world, all of whom have passed an exam to join.

Penn & Teller’s famous fans include the King (who is also a Magic Circle member), while their critics include Donald Trump, who’s said to have put them on his “enemies list”.

The presentation took place on Friday, on the steps of the Palladium, in London’s West End, where Penn & Teller are currently performing their 50th Anniversary residency.

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Magic Circle president Marvin Berglas said: “In the past they may have been known as the bad boys of magic with their sometimes controversial and hard-hitting choice of material.

“There was criticism from some in the past for their apparently exposing magical secrets. However, for those in the know, the real magic was always with their original and artistic performances whereby audiences thought they understood how something may have been done only to be utterly amazed with an entirely different original method.

“For this – Penn and Teller are the kings. These days The Magic Circle is the place for a truly diverse group of creative minds and talented performers.”

Penn & Teller in 2010. Pic: AP
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Penn & Teller in 2010. Pic: AP

Penn & Teller said: “We’re honoured that the Magic Circle has invited us to be members, after we’ve violated its cardinal rule – don’t give away secrets – for five decades. This is going to be fun.”

Penn & Teller first performed together in August 1975, breaking into the mainstream in the mid-1980s, and touring with critically acclaimed shows throughout the 1990s and achieving TV success in both the US and UK.

They will be performing their 50th Anniversary Tour at The London Palladium until Wednesday, 24 September.

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