David Bowie is being tipped for his first prize at the Brit Awards for almost two decades, with Arctic Monkeys and Ellie Goulding also among favourites for the big event on Wednesday.
Bowie, 67, leads the field to take the best British male award at the biggest night in the UK music world after his comeback last year with album The Next Day, following an absence of 10 years.
A triumph for Bowie would make him the oldest recipient of a Brit Award. The current record holder is Sir Tom Jones, who was given an honorary prize for his outstanding contribution to music in 2003, when he was 62.
Bowie is ranked way out in front at 1/3 by bookmaker William Hill to collect the title ahead of a field made up of John Newman, Jake Bugg, Tom Odell and James Blake. It would also amount to only his second "win" at the Brits - other than a 1984 best male award, his only title was an honorary one when he was chosen for the outstanding contribution in 1996.
William Hill puts Ellie Goulding in front to take the best British female prize, while Arctic Monkeys - who drew widespread acclaim for their musical rebirth on fifth album AM - are the hot favourites for the best group prize.
Bowie - who has kept a low profile in New York in the past decade - is also in the running for the best British album award although Arctic Monkeys lead the betting. But Bowie's reluctance to make public appearances will raise questions about how he will collect a prize if does win because he is not due to attend.
Chart-toppers One Direction appear to be a shoo-in for the best video prize for their single Best Song Ever, which marks the first time the Brits have allowed an award to be decided using social media.
The event, to take place at London's 02 Arena, will feature a number of star performers including Kiwi singer Lorde, who is up for the Best International Female Brit Award.
Other international performers include Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams.
