Scottish singer Jacob Alon has been named the winner of the Critics' Choice Award at the 2026 Brit Awards, becoming the first recipient of the newly restored trophy. The announcement was made by BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders on Monday evening, with Alon chosen ahead of fellow nominees Rose Grey and Sienna Spiro.
Alon, from Dunfermline in Fife, expressed gratitude in their acceptance speech, saying: 'In the wee town where I grew up in Scotland, it often felt like there was a limit to how high you could dare to dream. So being part of something like this makes me feel like I'm floating far above the sky.' They also vowed to 'keep fighting' for softness in a 'world full of broken and rusted jaggy edges.'
The singer's debut album 'In Limerence', released last year, was longlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize and has established them as one of Britain's most distinctive emerging talents. This year they also became the first Scottish recipient of BBC Introducing's Artist of the Year accolade, received a nomination for the Scottish Album of the Year Award, and performed on Later... with Jools Holland and the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury.
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 Brit Awards Committee, said the award has 'an incredible track record as a launchpad' for artists. The trophy was designed by Matthew Williamson, and the ceremony will be held in Manchester for the first time next month. The award was renamed Critics' Choice for 2026 to highlight the role of critical acclaim in emerging artists' careers.
