Ed Sheeran has a lot of (four) Brits nominations

Ed Sheeran has received four nominations for next month’s Brit Awards.

As The Daily Mail put it, Sheeran is “even ahead of Jessie J”.

The singing man has been shortlisted for Best Male, Best Breakthrough, Best Single for ‘The A Team’, and Best Album for ‘+’.

Meanwhile, last year’s Critics’ Choice winner, Jessie J, managed to pick up three nominations, a feat matched by fellow Best Female nominee Adele.

Elsewhere pop acts dominated the Best British Single nominations, with nods for Pixie Lott, The Wanted, Olly Murs, JLS and One Direction.

As well as winning the Critics’ Choice award, Emeli Sandé has also been shortlisted for British Breakthough Act while international nominees include Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Lana Del Rey.

In performance news, Adele will ‘return to the stage’ for the first time since she underwent microsurgery in November. Other performers include Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Coldplay.

The Brits 2012 will take place at London’s O2 Arena on February 21.