Coldplay and Duffy led the Brit-pack when nominations for the Brit Awards were held in London on Tuesday night. Both acts are up four gongs apiece – two in the Best Single and Best Album categories – while Mercury Prize winners Elbow compete with metal stalwarts Iron Maiden and indie band Scouting for Girls for the Best Live Act award.

Among the international contingent are AC/DC, Fleet Foxes, Beyoncé and Beck, while old-timers Seasick Steve and Neil Diamond are listed in the Best International Male category.

There's no Irish act among the nominees. Though their album debuted at Number 1 in the UK album charts, The Script failed to get a nod from the committee. It's left to U2 to fly the tricolour at the ceremony on February 18th, when they'll perform their new single Get On Your Boots(reviewed on page 17).

Coldplay and the Pet Shop Boys (who will collect a Lifetime Achievement Award) will also perform.