Brit Awards: Amy Winehouse nominated for British female solo artist four years after her death

She will be up against Adele, Florence Welch, Jess Glynne and Laura Marling

Amy Winehouse has been nominated for best British female (Getty Images)

Amy Winehouse has been nominated posthumously for a Brit Award, just hours after a documentary about her life picked up an Oscar nomination.

The 2016 nominations were announced during the launch event titled The Brits Are Coming, which was held at and broadcast from ITV Studios in London.

The "Back To Black" singer is nominated in the British female solo artist category alongside Adele, Florence Welch, Jess Glynne and Laura Marling.

The Asif Kapadia-directed documentary titled Amy, based on her life and career, was nominated for a best documentary feature Academy Award just hours before in Los Angeles.

Coldplay could make Brit Awards history if they are successful in the categories they have been nominated in. If they win, they would lead the way with the most ever wins in the British group and British album categories.

Adele leads the nominations, with nods in four categories, and is joined by James Bay and Years & Years, who have also picked up four nominations.

All of the above-mentioned artists have also either won or been named as finalists in the critics' choice category previously. This year's winner, Jack Garratt, has already been announced.

DJ Calvin Harris and "Hold My Hand" singer Glynne have three nominations in total.

Eagles of Death Metal on stage with U2 in Paris (PA)

The Eagles Of Death Metal, whose concert was targeted during the Paris attacks, are up against Irish band U2 in the international group category.

Winehouse is able to be nominated because the soundtrack to the documentary, Amy, was released and hit the Top 40 during the required dates for the award category.

The Brit Awards 2016 will take place on February 24 at the O2 Arena in London and will feature performances from Coldplay, Justin Bieber and Adele.

The show will feature a special tribute to David Bowie, who died of cancer just days after celebrating his 69th birthday.

He was named best British male twice - in 1984 and 2014 - and received the outstanding contribution to British music award in 1996.

Brits chairman Max Lousada said: “David Bowie was one of the most important and influential songwriters and performers ever and, like so many fans around the world, we're devastated to hear of his loss.

“A visionary and groundbreaking pioneer, he has inspired generations of musicians and will continue to shape music for many years to come. Naturally, we wish to honour his extraordinary life and work at the forthcoming Brit Awards and pay a fitting tribute to one of our greatest icons.”

Ant and Dec will return to host the awards for a second year in a row.

They said: “We're really excited to be invited back to host the Brit Awards 2016.

“In all honesty we only intended to do it for one year but had such a good time we are thrilled to be doing it again. Both of us are looking forward to what will be an incredible night, and we can't wait to celebrate the achievements of British music once again.”

The awards mark one of the biggest nights on the British music calendar as they honour the best of British and international talent.

PA