Jamie Cullum 'proud' of Amy Winehouse-inspired success at Ivor Novello awards

2 September 2020

Jamie Cullum feels "proud" to have won an Ivor Novello award for a song inspired by his late friend Amy Winehouse.

Jamie Cullum

The 41-year-old star was named as the winner of the Best Song Musically and Lyrically award on Wednesday (02.09.20), and Jamie subsequently took to social media to underline the personal significance of 'The Age of Anxiety'.

He wrote on Twitter: "I won an Ivor Novello Award for "The Age of Anxiety" - best song musically and lyrically! I am so proud to receive this award amongst some incredible company. (sic)"

The song refers to texts he received from the late music star, who passed away in 2011, and he's described it as a track he "really believe in".

He told the BBC: "I'd been going through my studio and found some old phones and I did find a bunch of texts.

"Amy and I were good friends and my first tour was with her. She was my support act, if you can believe it."

Elsewhere, Dave and Fraser T Smith won the award for Best Contemporary Song for 'Black'.

The track was described by judges as "important, eloquent and a song that not only empowers, but is borderless in its musicality".

Fellow rap star Little Simz won the coveted Best Album accolade for 'Grey Area', while newcomer Mysie was awarded the Rising Star prize.

Other big-name winners included Calvin Harris and Rag 'N' Bone Man, whose track 'Giant' was named as the winner of the Most Performed Work gong, and Joan Armatrading was awarded the Ivors Academy Fellowship for her contribution to music.

This year's Ivor Novello winners were announced by Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music 1 Radio, after the original ceremony was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ivor Novello award winners:

Best album:

'Grey Area', Little Simz

Best Contemporary Song:

'Black', Dave and Fraser T Smith

Best Original Film Score:

'Midsommar', Bobby Krlic

Best Original Video Game Score:

'Draugen', by Simon Poole

Best Song Musically and Lyrically:

'Age Of Anxiety', Jamie Cullum

Best Television Soundtrack: