David Bowie, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran are among those competing for the British Artist of the Year prize at the BBC Music Awards, Digital Spy said.

The BBC Music Awards will be given away on Thursday (December 11) in a star-studded ceremony at London's Earls Court.

The prestigious British Artist of the Year category will see Bowie, Smith and Sheeran competing against Elbow, Jungle and Royal Blood.

Nominees in the International Artist of the Year category are Dolly Parton, Gregory Porter, Lorde, Pharrell Williams, Prince and Taylor Swift.

A BBC Music panel and prominent journalists have voted to determine this year's winners.

Ella Henderson will collaborate on stage with Labrinth in a ceremony that will also include performances from Take That, George Ezra, Coldplay and One Direction.