In the run-up to this year’s ceremony, Olivia Dean had been the bookmakers’ favourite for her second album, The Art of Loving.
An easy-going, soulful collection of love songs, it had already been named album of the year at the Brit Awards and the Mobos, and is widely expected to earn the singer a Grammy nomination in the same category next month.
Speaking backstage, the singer said she was overwhelmed by the success.
“I don’t think I’ve processed it yet, to be honest,” she said. “I feel like I’m still in this crazy whirlwind of it all.
“And maybe, when I take a break over Christmas, I’ll reflect on the sofa.”
Other nominees included the rapper Kojey Radical, Geordie jazz act Knats, and former Little Mix star Jade – who was the first ever X Factor winner to receive a Mercury nomination.
The shortlist also included the charity compilation album Help (2), recorded in aid of Warchild, which featured new music and cover versions by artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode and The Last Dinner Party.
The tracklist also included nine former Mercury Prize winners: Arctic Monkeys, Young Fathers, Wolf Alice, Pulp, Sampha, Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, Arlo Parks, English Teacher and Ezra Collective.
Last year, the prize was won by Newcastle singer-songwriter Sam Fender, who donated his £25,000 winnings to grassroots music venues, helping to support up-and-coming songwriters around the UK.
