Brit Awards bosses are reportedly increasing the number of Artist of the Year nominations to 10.
Organisers are said to be making the move following a backlash after they introduced genderless categories for the 2023 event as part of a diversity drive.
The change was slammed as the Artist of the Year gong, which was won by for One Direction singer Harry Styles, 29, had no female artists in the running for the trophy.
A source told The Sun about how bosses are now expanding the category – again in the hope it will add more diversity to the nominees list: “The Brits’ decision to create genderless categories was huge and they’ve now tweaked it again to try to make it more inclusive.
“The move to go genderless was meant to be progressive, and by making this change they are hoping that it reflects this.”
The International Artist of the Year gong is also set to have 10 nominations, and bosses are also bringing in a new category, according to The Sun.
It said the 2024 Brits will now see a dedicated R B genre alongside the long-running Alternative/Rock, Dance, Pop and Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap categories.
The newspaper added the “eligibility period for R and B nominations will be extended from 12 months to 24 months”.
It will apparently let artists who could have been in with a shout this year to be nominated again.
Harry Styles swept the board at this year’s Brits – while acknowledging his “privilege” for triumphing as Artist of the Year.
He also won for album of the year, song of the year for ‘As It Was’ and best pop/R and B act.