Ed Sheeran is in the running to add yet another award to his collection, with multiplatinum-selling single Shape Of You earning him his third consecutive nomination for the BMI London song of the year prize.

The singer-songwriter faces competition from former X Factor winner James Arthur, The Weeknd, Norwegian DJ Kygo and Selena Gomez, and Russian producer Zedd and Alessia Cara.

A win would mean a BMI hat-trick for the star, who picked up the song of the year gong for Thinking Out Loud in 2016 and again for Love Yourself, a duet with Justin Bieber, last year.

Sheeran has a string of Grammys, Brits, MTV and Ivor Novello awards to his name, and was recently named the most played artist on UK radio, TV and in public of last year by music licensing company PPL, with Shape Of You the most played track.

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Image: Sheeran pictured with his partner Cherry Seaborn last month

Earlier this year, he made it on to the Sunday Times rich list of the UK's wealthiest musicians thanks to a hugely successful period which has seen his personal fortune climb £28m to £80m.

The BMI award recognises the most played song by UK or European writers from the BMI catalogue across radio and television in the US.

The winner will be announced at an event at the Dorchester Hotel on October 1, to be hosted by BMI president and chief executive Mike O'Neill.

One Direction star Liam Payne, pop band Right Said Fred, rapper Tinie Tempah and singer Natasha Bedingfield are expected to attend and will be honoured at this year's awards.

Film score composer Harry Gregson-Williams, whose music has featured in Shrek and The Chronicles Of Narnia, will be named BMI Icon for 2018. Previous recipients include Sting, Graham Gouldman, Sir Tim Rice, Queen, Ray Davies, Van Morrison and Bryan Ferry.

Last year's ceremony saw Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay pick up the BMI president's award for his influence on songwriting, following in the footsteps of Kenny Chesney, Pink, Willie Nelson, Adam Levine, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Toni Braxton.