Katy B has revealed she is on a mission

Katy B has revealed she is on a mission - to make sure that this year's Mercury Prize is a woman.

V Festival

Katy, whose debut album is nominated for the award this year, Adele, Anna Calvi and PJ Harvey is facing stiff competition from other female artists.

The 22-year-old said: “I’m going to place a bet on all the girls. Not many women have won the Mercury Prize, so hopefully we’ll have a chance this year.”

On A Mission star Katy admitted she was shocked to still prestigious shortlist. “When I made the album I didn’t think for a second (I’d get nominated). I didn’t really look into the future that much, I just enjoyed making it at the time and working with the producers.”

Manchester-based four-piece Everything Everything, up for their album Man Alive, said their mothers were first to hear the good news.

Lead singer Jonathan Higgs said, “They’re sworn to secrecy – my mum’s in a tiny village in Northumberland, so perhaps Doreen from the post office found out, but I think she kept her mouth shut”.

Bandmate Jeremy Pritchard joked: “If we won we’d lend the trophy to our mums on a shift basis.”

Fellow nominee Ghostpoet – real name Obaro Ejimiwe – said he splash out their Jack Russell Stanley profit if they had won.

“I’d pay my bills, take the missus on holiday, put a studio together and buy stuff for the dog – he needs a new bed and a new collar. He’s a bit of a greedy dog, so I’ve got to be careful. He’ll want diamante and all that.”

He added: “I’m just so humbled to be here. Being nominated is enough for me. The idea of winning is just too much for my brain to comprehend.”