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    BRITs 2012 nominee Ed Sheeran: everything you need to know

    We've been enjoying Ed Sheeran's music for a good while now, but we predict the 20-year-old singer is about to get LOADS more fans since he scooped a massive four BRIT 2012 nominations yesterday.

    He's leading the pack with nods for Best Breakthrough, Best Single, Best Male and Best Album.

    So who exactly is Ed Sheeran?

    •    Edward Christopher Sheeran was born on 17 February 1991 in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
    •    He started recording in 2005 and released an EP called 'The Orange Room.'
    •    Ed released a further two albums, 'Ed Sheeran' in 2006 and 'Want Some?' in 2007.
    •    After being their guitar technician, he opened for Nizlopi in Norwich in April 2008.
    •    He played 312 gigs in 2009. He wanted to beat James Morrison's 200 gigs in a year.
    •    In 2009 he toured with Just Jack and released EPs 'You Need Me' and 'Loose Change' in 2010.
    •    Rapper Example noticed Ed on a video on SB.TV in 2010 and invited him to tour with him.
    •    Jamie Foxx spotted Ed at an open mic night in Los Angeles and invited him to stay.
    •    Throughout 2010, Ed's profile grew and he gained famous fans like Elton John and Rio Ferdinand.
    •    Another three EPs followed, with 'No. 5 Collaborations' getting to no. 2 on iTunes.
    •    He signed to Asylum / Atlantic Records after a series of gigs at the Barfly in Camden.
    •    In April 2011, Ed performed 'The A Team' on 'Later... with Jools Holland'.
    •    Ed broke into the mainstream in June 2011 when debut single 'The A Team' went to no. 3.
    •    He played at Glastonbury, Reading, Bestival and Jersey Live festivals.
    •    In September 2011, Ed released his debut studio album '+'.
    •    'You Need Me' and 'Lego' were released as the next singles from the album.
    •    Harry Potter's Rupert Grint starred in the 'Lego' video, released in October.

    [See also: BRIT nominations 2012: Jessie J and Ed Sheeran dominate]

    [See also: BRITs 2012: One Direction, JLS and The Wanted go head-to-head]

    Ed Sheeran performed at the BRITs 2012 nominations announcement / PA

    No-one can say he became an overnight success, then!

    We'll find out how many awards Ed picks up at the BRIT Awards on February 21.

    Check out the rest of the nominees below.

    BRIT Awards 2012 Nominations

    Best British Male
    James Blake
    James Morrison
    Noel Gallagher
    Professor Green
    Ed Sheeran

    Best British Female
    Adele
    Florence and the Machine
    Jessie J
    Kate Bush
    Laura Marling

    British Breakthrough Act
    Anna Calvi
    Ed Sheeran
    Emeli Sande
    Jessie J
    The Real Vaccines

    British Group
    Arctic Monkeys
    Chase and Status
    Coldplay
    Elbow
    Kasabian

    British Single
    Adele — Someone Like You
    Ed Sheeran — The A Team
    Example — Changed The Way You Kissed Me
    Jessie J — Price Tag
    JLS- She Makes me Wanna
    Military Wives and Gareth Malone — Wherever You Are
    Olly Murs and Rizzle Kicks — Heart Skips a Beat
    One Direction — What Makes you Beautiful
    Pixie Lott — All About Tonight
    The Wanted — Glad you Came

    British Album
    Adele — 21
    Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
    Ed Sheeran - +
    Florence and the Machine — Ceremonials
    PJ Harvey — Let England Shake

    International  male
    Aloe Blacc
    Bon Iver
    Bruno Mars
    David Guetta
    Ryan Adams

    International Female
    Beyonce
    Bjork
    Feist
    Lady Gaga
    Rihanna

    International group
    Fleet Foxes
    Foo Fighters
    Jay-Z/Kanye West
    Lady Antebellum
    Maroon 5

    International Breakthrough
    Aloe Blacc
    Bon Iver
    Foster The People
    Lana Del Rey
    Nicki Minaj

    Outstanding contribution to music
    Blur

    Critics' choice
    1st Emeli Sande
    2nd Maverick Sabre
    3rd Michael Kiwanuka

    British Producer
    Paul Epworth
    Flood
    Ethan James