Singers Charli XCX, Robbie Williams, Myles Smith and rapper Berwyn triumphed on Thursday night at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards. 

The Ivors, Britain’s annual awards for songwriters and screen composers, marked its milestone 70th year with a star-studded ceremony, which saw U2 add to their honors with a fellowship. 

During the ceremony, Boom Clap singer Charli quipped that she’s ‘hardly Bob Dylan’ as she was crowned Songwriter of the Year.

The 32-year-old pop innovator – who dominated pop music with her 2024 LP Brat – received the prize at the prestigious bash at London’s famous Grosvenor House.

Collecting the trophy, Charli joked: ‘I’m sure you all agree, I am hardly Bob Dylan, but one thing I certainly do is commit to the bit.’

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Humble Charli XCX downplayed her Best Songwriter gong while Robbie Williams admitted he still struggles with ‘self-doubt and self-hatred’ as they led winners at the Ivor Novello Awards 

U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive the Ivors Academy fellowship for their back catalogue spanning five decades and were presented the award by Ed Sheeran (front) 

Robbie Williams was also honoured at the event as he was named an Icon.

The Angels hitmaker, 51, said: ‘When momentous things like this happen, it’s just a hodge-podge of things coming at you from the universe.

‘It’s self-doubt and self-hatred mixed with ego and delusion and audacity.

‘So it’s very difficult to put your finger on what it feels like in the moment, other than you’re supposed to say, “I’m very grateful”. And I am.’

Elsewhere, U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive the Ivors Academy fellowship for their back catalogue spanning five decades.

Frontman Bono said onstage: ‘Songs can be arrows through time if they come from the right place.

‘They can fly higher and farther, last longer, hit harder. They can pierce the hardest armour of the human heart.

‘I don’t know if they can change the world, but they changed us.’

During the ceremony, Boom Clap singer Charli quipped that she’s ‘hardly Bob Dylan ‘ as she was crowned Songwriter of the Year

Robbie was named an Icon and said: ‘When momentous things like this happen, it’s just a hodge-podge of things coming at you from the universe. ‘It’s self-doubt and self-hatred mixed with ego and delusion and audacity’

Myles Smiths’ Stargazing (left) was named the most-played song on UK radio in 2024, while The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers (right) accepted the Special International award

Best contemporary song went to Sans Soucis for Circumnavigating Georgia. The non-binary singer opted to wear a stick on mustache to accept their award 

Read More Jade Thirlwall puts on a loved-up display with her boyfriend Jordan Stephens at The Ivors

The star-studded bash also saw Bruce Springsteen honour The Killers with the Special International award.

Frontman Brandon Flowers quipped: ‘It feels one giant step away from fulfilling my original dream of becoming the most sought-after valet on the Las Vegas strip.’

Best Album went to Berwyn for his critically acclaimed debut studio effort, Who I Am.

Messy hitmaker Lola Young received the Rising Star award, while Myles Smiths’ Stargazing was named the most-played song on UK radio in 2024. 

Self Esteem picked up the Visionary Award.

Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: ‘Congratulations to every Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter and composer. 

‘On behalf of The Ivors Academy, it is a privilege to recognise their craft and achievements. 

‘Their lyrics and melodies are the most important foundations of music and there is no greater recognition than an Ivor Novello Award, judged by fellow songwriters and composers.’

Best Album went to Berwyn (left) for his critically acclaimed debut studio effort, Who I Am, while Best Film Score went to Raffertie (right) for The Substance

Orla Gartland was awarded Best Song Musically and Lyrically for her single, Mine

Vince Pope scooped the Best TV Soundtrack for his work on True Detective: Night Country

Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem, won the Visionary Award

Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack from Bloc Party scooped Outstanding Contribution award

Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, added: ‘A mᴀssive congratulations to all of our winners. 

‘From the UK we’re creating the global recognition that songwriters and composers deserve. 

‘Whether it’s fair pay, safe working environments or ensuring meaningful opt-in consent in the age of AI, The Ivors Academy exists to protect, empower and celebrate the most vital creative force in the music industry. 

‘I’m proud to lead an organisation dedicated to upholding the rights and earnings of our members.’

Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. 

IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS 2025: THE WINNERS  

BEST ALBUM

BRAT – Charli XCX

ON PURPOSE, WITH PURPOSE – Ghetts

THE LOOP – Jordan Rakei

THIS WASN’T MEANT FOR YOU ANYWAY – Lola Young

WHO AM I – Berwyn – WINNER 

 

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG

ALLERGY – Pa Salieu

ANGEL OF MY DREAMS – JADE

CIRCUMNAVIGATING GEORGIA – Sans Soucis – WINNER 

DOUBLE STANDARDS – Ghetts feat. Sampha

HOW BLACK MEN LOSE THEIR SMILE – Bashy

 

BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY

CHILD OF MINE – Laura Marling

GENESIS. – RAYE

IN THE MODERN WORLD – Fontaines D.C.

MESSY – Lola Young

MINE – Orla Gartland – WINNER 

 

MOST PERFORMED WORK

AS IT WAS – Harry Styles

HOUDINI – Dua Lipa

LAST CHRISTMAS – WHAM!

PRADA – Cᴀssö, RAYE and D-Block Europe

STARGAZING – Myles Smith – WINNER

RISING STAR AWARD

Bea and her Business

Liang Lawrence

Lola Young – WINNER 

LULU.

Nia Smith

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR  

Charli XCX

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE

FLY ME TO THE MOON – Daniel Pemberton

HARD TRUTHS – Gary Yershon

KNEECAP – Michael ‘Mickey J’ Asante

THE SUBSTANCE – Raffertie – WINNER

THE ZONE OF INTEREST – Mica Levi

 

BEST TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK

BLACK DOVES – Martin Phipps

MARY & GEORGE – Oliver Coates

RIVALS – Jack Halama and Natalie Holt

TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY – Vince Pope – WINNER

UNTIL I KILL YOU – Carly Paradis

 

BEST ORIGINAL VIDEO GAME SCORE

EMPIRE OF THE ANTS – Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi

FAREWELL NORTH – John Konsolakis  – WINNER

FLOCK – Eli Rainsberry

SENUA’S SAGA: HELLBLADE II – David Garcia Diaz

THE CASTING OF FRANK STONE – Boxed Ape

 

ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP  

U2

 

MUSIC ICON AWARD 

Robbie Williams

 

OUTSTANDING SONG COLLECTION 

Bloc Party

 

SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL  

Brandon Flowers

 

VISIONARY AWARD  

Self Esteem