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The Ivor Novello Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements in the field of songwriting and composition, took place last night at London’s Grosvenor House.
The event saw Rosalía, Lily Allen and Sam Fender triumph, as George Michael was inducted into the fellowship of The Ivors Academy, nine years after his death.
Catalan superstar Rosalía was presented with a new award, the international songwriter of the year, following her record-breaking and critically acclaimed 2025 album ‘LUX’ – which topped Euronews Culture’s Best Albums of last year.
The Ivors Academy said she had “pushed the boundaries of global songwriting and experimental pop”.
As she accepted her award, she spoke of the need for more diverse songwriting voices, stating that there are “countless outstanding writers which will not be recognised as they deserve because they aren’t middle-class white Europeans, whose upbringing has been sufficiently stable for them to turn a hint of talent into a successful career.”
Scroll down for the full list of this year’s winners.
Irish singer-songwriter CMAT’s album ‘Euro-Country’ was named best album, with the judges praising the record’s “honesty, originality, and particularly highlighted its ability to balance personal songwriting alongside political and cultural themes”.
Another big winner of the night was Sam Fender, who won last year’s Mercury Prize. He was named songwriter of the year, and was described as “one of the UK’s most important songwriters”.
Following her comeback success last year with the album ‘West End Girl’, Lily Allen was awarded the outstanding song collection prize for “one of the most distinctive and impressive catalogues in British music across the last two decades”.
Elsewhere, Scottish folk singer-songwriter Jacob Alon won both the rising star award and the prize for best song musically and lyrically, for ‘Don’t Fall Asleep’.
A moving moment during last night’s ceremony came when George Michael was inducted into the fellowship of The Ivors Academy, nine years after his death. The artist follows in the footsteps of artists including Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and Bruce Springsteen.
The award was accepted on his behalf by his former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and lifelong friend Chris Organ.
The Academy said that the fellowship celebrates his “excellence and impact in the art and craft of music creation, and his enduring influence worldwide”.
Also awarded the Fellowship was Radiohead‘s frontman Thom Yorke, honoured for his “extraordinary craft in music creation with Radiohead and across his solo career”. He was described by the Academy as “one of the defining songwriters of his generation.”
Another special moment came when Sir Elton John was announced as the Ivors Academy’s first-ever president.
Lola Young presented Sir Elton with the honour for his “outstanding work championing songwriters, composers, and creativity across the music industry”.
He accepted the honour and told the audience and his fellow artists: “No matter what kind of music you write, it’s yours, you own it… It came from your soul, it means a hell of a lot to you. And don’t let people take it away from you, especially AI.”
Here is the full list of this year’s Ivor Novello winners:
Songwriter of the year
International songwriter of the year
Best album
Best contemporary song
- I Stand on the Line + Know Yourself – Kae Tempest / Fraser T Smith
Best song musically and lyrically
- Don’t Fall Asleep – Jacob Alon
Most performed work
Outstanding song collection
Rising star
- Jacob Alon
Music icon award - Calvin Harris
Best original film score
Best television soundtrack
- Trespasses – David Holmes / Brian Irvine
Special international
Visionary award
Academy Fellowship
- George Michael
- Thom Yorke