Olivia Dean has been nominated for the 2026 Mercury Prize for The Art of Loving, strengthening her position after the album won album of the year at both the Brit and Mobo Awards. Sir Paul McCartney has received his first Mercury nomination at the age of 84, while Lily Allen’s acclaimed break-up album West End Girl is absent from the shortlist.

Former winners Dave and Suede are among the contenders, alongside Jade, Raye, Nia Archives, Florence + The Machine and Irish newcomer Dove Ellis. The £25,000 prize is judged by a 12-person panel and will be awarded at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 22 October; because artists must submit their own work, it is unclear whether Allen was overlooked or did not enter.