Gabriel and Sheeran honoured at Ivor awards

PETER Gabriel and Ed Sheeran have been honoured at The Ivors during a ceremony that also featured a surprise appearance by global pop superstar Shakira.

The ceremony at Grosvenor House in London, now in its 67th year, saw 21 songwriters and composers collect Ivor Novello awards across 14 categories spanning music, film, TV and video games.

Peter Gabriel received the fellowship of The Ivors Academy in recognition of his “outstanding contributions as a musician, innovator, humanitarian and songwriter”.

Songwriter of the year went to 23-year-old southeast London rapper Dave, whose second album We’re All Alone In This Together went to number one in 2021 and won rave reviews.

Sheeran, 31, claimed the most performed work award for Bad Habits, alongside co-writers Fred Again and Johnny Mcdaid of Snow Patrol.

Shakira, famed for hits such as Waka Waka and Hips Don’t Lie, made a surprise appearance on the red carpet before collecting the special international award, celebrating the global impact of the Colombian pop star.

Sam Fender claimed his first Ivor Novello for best song musically and lyrically for his classic rock-inspired track Seventeen Going Under, written about his teenage years in North Shields and the trials he and his family faced.