Pop singer Sam Smith has been named the winner of the BBC’s Sound of 2014 poll.
The list was compiled from tips from 170 critics, broadcasters, and bloggers from the UK, with each person invited to name their three favourite acts for 2014, with previous winners including Adele, Ellie Goulding and Jessie J.
On being told of the news, the Smith said that he was “speechless”, continuing:
“It’s a huge compliment to be recognised by the industry and the BBC in this way. I really didn’t expect it.”
The 21-year-old singer broke into the pop world in 2012 as the featured vocalist on Latch by Mercury Music Prize nominated act Disclosure which reached number 11 in the UK charts, making Smith a controversial nomination, and nominees should not have had a top 20 single or album before 11 November 2012.
Smith’s collaboration with British producer Naughty Boy, La La La, reached number one in the charts and became the fifth-biggest selling single of 2013.