Ellie Goulding tops BBC Sound list

Ellie Goulding has finished first on the BBC Sound of 2010 list.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, who hails from Hereford, adds the accolade to the Brit Awards Critics' Choice prize she won last month.

She leads a top five that includes fellow singer-songwriter Marina and the Diamonds, who came second, as well as indie-dance act Delphic, who placed third.

Meanwhile, electropop duo Hurts and Florida band The Drums finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Previous recipients of the BBC Sound prize - chosen by a 165-strong panel of UK-based tastemakers - include Mika, Adele and Keane, while last year's list was topped by Little Boots.

Last month Goulding, who released her debut single 'Under The Sheets' in November, told DS that she is surprised by the amount of attention she is now receiving.

"All of this is really weird! I find it strange that people are interested in me so much. My day consists of doing loads of music things like live gigs, interviews and getting cabs... a lot," she said.

"I wouldn't change it, but it's just so surreal. It's obviously what I was meant to do though because everything has pushed me in this direction and people seem to be connecting with my songs."

Goulding releases her next single, 'Starry Eyed', on February 22.

> Click here to read our recent interview with Ellie Goulding