Sam Fender wins big songwriting award

Sam Fender is far from Getting Started - his meteoric success continues as this week he's just been awarded Songwriter of the Year at the Ivor Novellos.

It's not the first time he's bagged a prize at these awards - in 2022 his smash hit Seventeen Going Under was named Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

Officials this year said Sam had become one of "the defining voices in modern British music and storytelling".

This latest achievement comes just months after he won the 2025 Mercury Prize.

The Ivor Novellos celebrate songwriting from the UK and Ireland, and lots of other artists' skills were recognised at them this year.

Famous singer Sir Elton John was also honoured as he was announced as the Ivor Academy's first-ever president.

One big theme running through the event was the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it's affecting the music industry.

As he accepted his award, Sir Elton said "No matter what kind of music you write, it's yours, you own it... It came from your soul....

"And don't let people take it away from you, especially AI."

He also said he was proud of the UK music industry, and that "we're an amazing country that produces great songwriting".