Ed Sheeran named Songwriter of the Year at Ivor Novello Awards

Black Sabbath, Ed Sheeran and Boy George were among the big winners at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards in London on Thursday (21May15).

The heavy rockers picked up a Lifetime Achievement trophy, while Sheeran was named Songwriter of the Year and Boy George collected an Outstanding Contribution award from Kylie Minogue.

Picking up his latest accolade, Sheeran said, "This is the one award that really counts because it comes from people you respect. No offense to all the other ones, obviously."

Other winners included Clean Bandit, who beat out Sam Smith and George Ezra for the Most Performed Song for Rather Be - which was also named Britain's Best Contemporary Song, and Hozier, whose Take Me Church was hailed as the Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

Accepting his award, the Irishman said, "This time last year I was completely unknown and this music was written alone in my attic. I'm so encouraged. This is a huge deal for me."

Meanwhile, Annie Lennox was also feted at the Ivor Novellos as she was awarded the fellowship of the British Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors - the organisation's highest honor - by Sir Elton John.

She told the audience, "I'm incredibly privileged to become the first woman fellow of Basca. With this, the glass ceiling is broken."

And there was also a special prize handed to Midge Ure and Bob Geldof in recognition of their work on the Band Aid project, which led to Live Aid 30 years ago (85).

Accepting the honor, Ure, who co-wrote Do They Know It's Christmas, urged today's songwriters to create a new charity anthem song, joking, "I'm sick to death of hearing the old one", while Geldof confessed, "It's (Do They Know It's Christmas) not a great song."

The full list of winners is:

Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Take Me to Church - Hozier

Best Contemporary Song: Rather Be - Clean Bandit, featuring Jess Glynne

Best Album: So Long, See You Tomorrow - Bombay Bicycle Club

Most Performed Work: Rather Be - Clean Bandit, featuring Jess Glynne

Best Original Film Score: '71 - David Holmes

Best Television Soundtrack - The Honourable Woman - Natalie Holt and Martin Phipps

Lifetime Achievement: Black Sabbath

Outstanding Song Collection: Albert Hammond

Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Boy George

Special International Award: Paul Williams

Songwriter of the Year: Ed Sheeran

Classical Music Award: Judith Weir

Inspiration Award: Manic Street Preachers

Special Anniversary Award: Midge Ure and Bob Geldof, Band Aid

BASCA Fellowship: Annie Lennox.