Shane MacGowan is unexpectedly in line for a Classic BRIT award

The Pogues frontman, famed for his gravelly voice, is nominated by association, as he contributed vocals to 'Peace on Earth/Little Drummer' on 'Noel', a Christmas album by The Priests, which is up for Classic FM Album of the Year.

The pairing is unlikely, as the group are made up of three Northern Irish Catholic priests, who wouldn't ordinarily approve of Shane's hard drinking lifestyle.

The band's Father Eugene O'Hagan has said, however, their pairing showed "how music builds bridges and brings us into creative contact with unlikely partnerships'.

Other artists in the running for Album of the Year include Aled Jones, Russell Watson, Bryn Terfel, Craig Ogden and the Benedictine Nuns of Notre-Dame, among others.

Other awards to be given out on the night include Best Male, which will see Antonio Pappano and Rolando Villazon battle it out against conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, who is nominated posthumously, after he passed away last year.

Female Artist of the Year sees three British artists Trumpeter Alison Balsom, violinist Nicola Benedetti and Dame Mitsuko Uchida - a Japanese-born naturalised Brit - vying for the prize.

It has previously been announced the awards will also honour Il Divo as Artists of the Decade.

The Classic BRIT Awards take place on May 12 at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Classic BRIT awards full nominations

Female Artist of the Year
Alison Balsom
Mitsuko Uchida
Nicola Benedetti

Male Artist of the Year
Antonio Pappano
Rolando Villazon
Sir Charles Mackerras

Newcomer Award
Alice Sara Ott
Vilde Frang
Arvo Part
Eric Whitacre
Karl Jenkins

Critics' Award
Antonio Pappano
Jonas Kaufmann
Tasmin Little

Artist of the Decade
Il Divo

Classic FM Album of the Year
'Aled's Christmas Gift' - Aled Jones
'Moonlight Serenade' - Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra
'Voices - Chant from Avignon' - Benedictine Nuns of Notre-Dame
'Carols & Christmas Songs' - Bryn Terfel
'Reach for the Skies' - Central Band of the RAF
'The Choirgirl Isabel' - Choirgirl Isabel
'The Guitarist' - Craig Ogden
'Noel' - The Priests
'Tenor' - Rolando Villazon
'La Voce' - Russell Watson