Declan McKenna has been crowned BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Year.
The 18-year-old British singer is the first recipient of an award for this year’s BBC Music Awards and is "eternally grateful" to receive the accolade.
Of the honour – which was handed to ‘White Tiger’ hitmaker Izzy Bizu last year – he said: "I’m delighted and honoured to accept this award from BBC Music Introducing.
"I’d like to say a big thank you for relentlessly rooting for me throughout the years. No award could ever overshadow the time, effort and support given by so many others to get me to the point I’m at now, and for that I’m eternally grateful!"
On how the BBC has helped launch his career, he added: "I uploaded a bunch of demos when I was 14 or 15 because there were all these amazing bands coming out of BBC Introducing at the time.
"I remember being played on Three Counties, which was my local station. They had me in the studio, which was cool, because I’d never done anything like that before."
Dan Roberts, editor for BBC Music Introducing, said: "For the past 10 years BBC Music Introducing has supported the best new and emerging artists, taking them from bedroom demos to Maida Vale sessions, and local gigs to UK and international festivals.
"Having first uploaded his music to Introducing when he was just 15 years old, Declan makes the perfect recipient for this year’s award. BBC Music Introducing has been at every step through Declan’s musical career and we look forward to hearing what comes next."
Declan and all of the other winners will be announced at the live show ‘The Year in Music 2017’, which airs on BBC Two on Friday (08.12.17).
Liam Gallagher, Stormzy, Sampha, Rag’n’Bone Man, Foo Fighters, and Dua Lipa will all feature in the one-hour musical extravaganza.
Declan McKenna wins BBC Introducing prize
