Mercury Prize rules changed to allow public to vote on longlist

The winner is still chosen by a judging panel

In an attempt to make the Mercury Prize somewhat less controversial, the rules have been revamped to include a general public vote.

This year the judging panel will choose a longlist of 12 albums for music fans to vote upon. The album that has the highest number of votes will move forward to a shortlist, as will five other albums (selected by the judges).

From the final six albums, a winner will be decided by the judges, whom this year include the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Jamie Cullum and Kate Tempest.

"2016 marks the start of a new era," Mercury Prize director Dan Ford told the BBC. "The changes will enable music fans to play a part in the process for the first time, whilst ensuring that the Prize maintains its reputation for celebrating the best British and Irish albums, based solely on artistic merit.”

Last year's Mercury Prize winner, Benjamin Clementine (Micky Clement)

The public will be able to cast their votes online once the longlist is announced on the 4 August. At the final ceremony, all six finalists will perform and there will be a “special, one-off” collaboration to mark the prize’s 25th anniversary.

While the full judging line-up will be announced later, DJ Annie Mac, Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice, and producer Naughty Boy were also confirmed to be on the panel.

Last year’s winner was Benjamin Clementine with his album At Least for Now. Since his big win, the artist toured Europe and the US but has yet to release a follow-up record.