Gruff Rhys wins Welsh Music Prize

We can reveal that the winner of the inaugural Welsh Music Prize is GRUFF RHYS, with his album Hotel Shampoo.

Held at Cardiff's Kuku Club, the announcement was made at an exclusive ceremony hosted by BBC Radio Wales DJ Adam Walton, this evening.

Addressing those in attendance, a surprised Gruff Rhys spoke of his achievement:"Everyone on the list deserved to win, so I am very grateful.

"I really didn't expect to win, so I didn't prepare anything," admitted the winner of the first-ever Welsh Music Prize.

"To have all of the shortlisted acts attend this inaugural Welsh Music Prize speaks volumes of the interest that this idea has generated, as did Gruff's obviously emotional response to winning the Prize," commented Welsh Music Prize co-founder and SWN Festival organiser John Rostron.

He continued: "I didn't evny the judges having to pick a winner - the shortlist was incredibly strong - but then that's why we started the Prize. Such great music emerges from Wales which myself and Huw Stephens feel deserves wider recognition. I'm delighted that this first event has achieved that."

The decision was made by a select panel of judges, which included Booker of Reading Festival Neil Pengelly, Deputy Editor of NME Mike Williams, BBC Radio Wales and 6 Music DJ Bethan Elfyn, and owner of Spillers Records Ashli Todd.

Live footage of the event was streamed live online by Media Wales, while BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq aired the ceremony live as part of his Swn Festival 2011 radio coverage.