Pope in running for Brit award

(UKPA) – 10 hours ago

Pope Benedict XVI has received his first Classical Brit nomination - and finds himself battling it out with Britain's Got Talent star Faryl Smith and X-Factor's Rhydian Roberts among others.

Each year, The Classical Brit Awards highlight the 10 biggest-selling classical albums of the past 12 months by nominating them for the NS&I album of the year award, the only category to be voted for by the public.

The Priests' second release Harmony will see the three Catholic Fathers also vying with the Pope, whose voice appears on Alma Mater - Music From The Vatican.

The only two female nominations go to debut albums from 14-year-old Faryl Smith, which became the fastest selling solo classical album in British chart history, and Gary Barlow's protegee Camilla Kerslake with her eponymously-titled record.

Following in the footsteps of last year's winners, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, are The Coldstream Guards with their debut Universal release Heroes.

Also nominated are Blake with Together and last year's composer of the year winner Howard Goodall with Enchanted Voices.

Welsh artists dominate the category with three of the album nominations - Fron Male Voice Choir for Memory Lane, Choir Wars winners Only Men Aloud with their debut Band Of Brothers and former X-Factor runner-up Roberts with his debut O Fortuna.

Votes can be cast via classicfm.co.uk/music and voting closes on April 23.

The winners will be announced at the 11th annual Classical Brit Awards with NS&I at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 13.

Hosted by Myleene Klass, the event will feature performances from the lifetime achievement recipient Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and chart phenomenon Andre Rieu.

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