The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, was created in 1992 as an alternative to the Brit Awards and is known for its eclectic mix of musical genres.
The first prize was won by Scottish band Primal Scream for their seminal album ‘Screamadelica’, with other Franz Ferdinand and Young Fathers the only other two acts from north of the border to have won since.
Other acts to have won include Arctic Monkeys, Skepta, Dave, Wolf Alice, Ms. Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal, Klaxons, James Blake, Pulp, Elbow, The xx, Suede, and alt-J.
And last year’s winner was Sam Fender for his album People Watching.
PJ Harvey is the only artist to have won the prize twice – for Let England Shake and Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea.
To be eligible for the prize over 50 per cent of a band’s members must be British or Irish, and submissions are made by record labels.
The shortlist is chosen “based solely on their musical merit and irrespective of how popular or successful an album or act that has been submitted may have been in the previous calendar year”.
The winner will be selected by a team of judges, namely AFRODEUTSCHE (Composer, DJ & Radio 3 Unwind & 6 Music Broadcaster), Danielle Perry (Broadcaster (Absolute Radio & Jazz FM) & Musicia), Jamie Cullum (Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster), Jeff Smith (Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music), Lea Stonhill (Music Programming Consultant), MistaJam (Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster), Phil Alexander (Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, MOJO), Sian Eleri (Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ), Sophie Williams (Music Writer & Broadcaster) and Will Hodgkinson (Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times).
Here’s all 12 nominees’ chances of trimphing at the ceremony to be held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Thursday, October 22 - according to the bookies.
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5. Dove Ellis - 17/2
Irish indie folk musician Dove Ellis may not be one of the biggest names on the list, but he's priced at a relatively low 17/2 to take the trophy for his album 'Blizzard'. | Contributed
6. Kojey Radical - 11/1
Grime star Kojey Radical has been nominated for eight MOBO Awards without winning a single one. He's an 11/1 shot to finally be named an award winner at the Mercury ceremony for his album 'Don't Look Down'. | Getty Images
7. JADE - 12/1
Little Mix singer JADE has swiftly and successfully made the transition from girlband to solo artist with her accomplished and acclaimed debut album 'THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!'. It's a 12/1 shot to be a rare pop Mercury winner. | Getty Images
8. Florence + The Machine
Florence Welsh has already been nominated three times previously for the Mercury Prize. Could it be fourth time lucky for the star at this year's awards for 'Everybody Scream'? The bookies reckon she has a 14/1 chance. | Lillie Eiger/ HFG Management via