Skepta wins 2016 Mercury Music Prize over bookies’ favourite David Bowie – bagging £25k

THE late David Bowie has missed out on the 2016 Mercury Prize, with the award given to grime star Skepta.

The legendary singer, who passed away in January, was the bookies’ favourite to win the gong for his album Blackstar, which was released two days before his death.

But in a surprise result, he lost out to Skepta’s critically-acclaimed album Konnichiwa.

Had Bowie won, he would have become the first artist to win the prestigious prize posthumously.

Former Mercury winner Jarvis Cocker, who presented the award, said Bowie would have been glad for the award to go to Skepta.

He said: “We as a jury decided that if David Bowie was looking down on the Hammersmith Apollo tonight, he would want the 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize to go to Skepta.”

Skepta paid tribute to the Starman and Amy Winehouse before launching into a performance of his hit track Shutdown, saying: “Rest in peace David Bowie and rest in peace Amy Winehouse.”

The humble star, who looked shocked to receive the £25,000 prize, also thanked his mum and dad in a heartfelt speech.

Earlier Hollywood star Michael C Hall, the lead star in Bowie’s musical of the same name, performed song Lazarus in tribute to the late star during the ceremony.

He described the opportunity as “an unspeakable honour”.

Previous Mercury winners who include PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal and The XX.

Last year’s winner of the £25,000 prize was poet Benjamin Clementine.

Despite being the most nominated Mercurys act in history, Radiohead missed out on the gong for the fifth time having been in contention on four previous occasions

Other acts losing out were Laura Mvula, Michael Kiwanuka, The 1975 and Kano.

The Mercury prize winner was chosen by a panel of judges on the night of the ceremony

They included former winner Jarvis Cocker, pop producer Naughty Boy, singer Jessie Ware and Radio 1 host Annie Mac.