Brit Awards 2018: everything you need to know about this year's show

This week sees the 38th edition of the annual Brit Awards, celebrating the great and good of pop music from Britain and around the world.

How can you watch the show? And who will be going home with one of the famous statuettes?

The Brits are the annual pop music awards of the British Phonographic Industry.

Originally, "BRIT" was simply an acronym for British, but now the moniker technically stands for "British Record Industry Trust".

The first incarnation of the awards took place in 1977, morphing into the event we know today in 1989.

When are the Brit Awards?

This year's Brit Awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday (21 February).

For the eighth year in a row, the event will take place inside London's O2 Arena.

Who will be performing?

It's not just the award winners that you can tune in for; previous Brit Awards have thrown up some memorable (and controversial) live performances, and music fans will be hoping for more of the same this year.

Confirmed to appear this year are Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Stomrzy and Dua Lipa, though it's always possible we may see some big guest appearances.

Who are up for awards?

Dua Lipa, whose single 'New Rules' was the most-streamed of 2017, leads the pack with five nominations, while the seemingly omnipresent Ed Sheeran is snapping at her heels with four.

In the bigger categories, Dua Lipa, Sheeran, J Hus, Rag 'n' Bone Man and Stormzy are up for the British Album of the Year gong, while Sheeran, Stormzy and Rag 'n' Bone Man appear once again in the race for British Male Solo Artist, alongside Liam Gallagher and Loyle Carner.

Paloma Faith, Kate Tempest, Jessie Ware, Laura Marling, and Dua Lipa make up the field for British Female Solo Artist, and the contenders for British Group are Wolf Alice, Gorillaz, London Grammar, The XX, and Royal Blood.

Who designed this year's award?

The Brit regularly draft in guest designers to put a spin on the annual award, and this year is no different.

Artist Anish Kapoor has created a blocky red trophy with the Brittania figure trapped in its centre for winners at this year's Brits.

Who is hosting?

Hosting duties this year fall to comedian Jack Whitehall.

The 29-year old will be stepping into the shoes of last year's hosts, Emma Willis and Dermot O'Leary.

How can I watch the Brits?

The Brit Awards 2018 are broadcast on ITV1 from 8pm on Wednesday (21 February).

This article originally appeared on our sister title, iNews