BBC reporter Susanna Reid was at the nomination party

The singer has shrugged off his boy band past by being shortlisted for half a dozen titles - beating Oasis' 1996 record of five nominations.

Among them are two tracks in the running for best single - Angels, the record which saw his solo career start to take off, and Millennium.

Trailing him with five nominations are Bristol band Massive Attack, who last year snubbed the Duchess Of York at the MTV Europe Awards in Milan by refusing to shake her hand.

Massive Attack: Mezzanine was loved by the critics

The group are nominated for their album Mezzanine - which almost saw tensions running high within the group during its long gestation period - as well as being in the running for Best Dance Act, Group, Single and Video.

Several acts have notched up three nominations including Ilkley-based Mercury Prize winners Gomez, Welsh bands Catatonia and Manic Street Preachers and Brighton-based Fatboy Slim (otherwise known as the DJ Norman Cook).

Fatboy Slim: Norman Cook gets three nominations

The awards show will take place at the London Arena on 16 February, but the nomination announcement, which took place at the capital's Caf� de Paris nightclub created almost as much anticipation as the main show.

One act is already certain of a prize - the Eurythmics will receive an Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry award.

Of the 13 categories in the awards, eight reward British acts while the remaining five recognise international talent with bands like Air, Savage Garden and the Beastie Boys shortlisted.

The Brits are rarely without controversy - last year Chumbawamba's Danbert Nobacon caused uproar by drenching Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott with the water from an ice bucket.

In 1996 Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker was arrested after invading the stage to protest at Michael Jackson's live performance. He was later released without charge.

This year's awards have a new sponsor - Mastercard replaces the Britannia Music Club as backer of the event. However, there are no plans to change the name of the awards.

Most of the awards are decided by a judging panel, but three awards are voted for by the public: Best British Video, Single and Newcomer.

The full list of nominations for the 1999 Brit awards:

Best British Group
Beautiful South; Catatonia; Gomez; Manic Street Preachers; Massive Attack

MasterCard Best British Album
International Velvet, Catatonia; Bring It On, Gomez; This My Truth Tell Me Yours, Manic Street Preachers; Mezzanine, Massive Attack; I've Been Expecting You, Robbie Williams

Best British Newcomer
Five; Another Level; Belle & Sebastian; Billie; Cleopatra; Cornershop; Gomez; Hinda Hicks; Propellerheads; Steps

Best British Dance Act
All Saints; Faithless; Fatboy Slim; Jamiroquai; Massive Attack

Best Soundtrack/Cast Recording
Boogie Nights; Jackie Brown; Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; Titanic; The Wedding Singer

Best International Group
Air; Beastie Boys; The Corrs; Fun Lovin' Criminals; R.E.M.

Best International Newcomer
Air; B*witched; Eagle Eye Cherry; Natalie Imbruglia; Savage Garden

Best International Male Solo Artist
Beck; Eagle Eye Cherry; Neil Finn; Pras; Will Smith

Best International Female Solo Artist
Sheryl Crow; Lauryn Hill; Natalie Imbruglia; Madonna; Alanis Morissette

Best British Male Solo Artist
Ian Brown; Bernard Butler; Lynden David Hall; Fatboy Slim; Robbie Williams

Best British Female Solo Artist
Billie; Des'ree; PJ Harvey; Hinda Hicks; Billie Myers

Best British Single
Perfect 10, Beautiful South; Road Rage, Catatonia; Brimful of Asha, Cornershop; Life, Des'ree; The Rockafella Skank, Fatboy Slim; If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next, Manic Street Preachers; Teardrop, Massive Attack; Outside, George Michael; Angels, Robbie Williams; Millennium, Robbie Williams

Best British Video
Under the Bridge, All Saints; I Want You Back, Melanie B Featuring Missy Elliot; Brimful of Asha, Cornershop; Deeper Underground, Jamiroquai; Teardrop, Massive Attack; Outside, George Michael; Pure Morning, Placebo; No Surprises, Radiohead; Let Me Entertain You, Robbie Williams; Millennium; Robbie Williams