Cotton to host Brits nominations

Radio 1 chart show DJ Fearne Cotton will announce the nominations for this year's Brit Awards.

The launch party for the annual music awards will take place at the Roundhouse in Camden, north London, on 20 January.

It will feature live performances from Gabriella Cilmi, Scouting For Girls and 2009 Brit Critics' Choice award winner Florence and the Machine.

Last year's Critics' Choice was won by the BBC's Sound of 2008 winner Adele.

Ged Doherty, chairman of the Brits committee, said: "It's a great platform for Florence and the Machine to show why she has won the Critics' Choice award this year."

The nominations will be shown on ITV2 on 20 January from 2000 GMT.

The Brit Awards, meanwhile, will take place on 18 February at London's Earls Court.

The Pet Shop Boys will receive an outstanding contribution to music award at the ceremony.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have sold 50 million records since 1985 with four British number one singles and 22 top 10 hits.

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