A teenage soul singer tipped to be the new Amy Winehouse will today be named the winner of the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice prize. Adele Adkins, whose smoky voice animates jazzy songs of teenage heartbreak, is the first recipient of the award, which has been created to encourage and launch new talent.

The prize, chosen by a panel of 50 music writers, is open to artists who are yet to release an album.

Adkins, 19, who goes by her first name, was spotted from songs she had posted on her MySpace page and was invited to perform on the BBC’s Later With Jools Holland before she had released a note of music.

Her debut album is due to be released next month by XL, the independent record label that has Radiohead and the White Stripes on its books. “The whole album is about being between 18 and 19, about love,” she said. “It’s quite a sad album, with songs about being cheated on and not getting what you want.

“I’m really chuffed and flattered to have won the new category. I’ve always wanted a Brit and I’m made up to be getting one so early on.”

Although she still lives with her mother in North London, Adele said that she was ready for stardom. “I’ve always liked being the centre of attention.” She is also resistant to the more negative aspects of fame: “I’ve always been a size 14-16, and been fine with it. I would only lose weight if it affected my health or sex life, which it doesn’t.”

Adele, who is friends with Lily Allen, is the latest star graduate of the Brit School for performing arts in Croydon, South London. Winehouse, Katie Melua and Kate Nash, herself tipped for Brit Awards success, are all former pupils at Britain’s “fame academy”. Like Winehouse, Adele was brought up listening to the jazz heroines Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James.

The critics’ runner-up was Duffy, 22, a striking, blonde singer from Wales whose classic soul voice has prompted comparisons with Dusty Springfield. But it is Adele who will be invited to perform at the televised nominations launch next month and collect her prize in front of millions of ITV viewers at Earls Court, West London.

The Times has also learnt that the Brit Awards organisers have pulled off a coup by persuading Sir Paul McCartney to accept the Outstanding Contribution award. Sir Paul had turned down the offer previously because he believed it implied that his creative days were over.

Its acceptance by younger artists, including Oasis last year, helped to change his mind. He is also promoting the digital release of his solo hits, with the Beatles finally set to join the iTunes store. Sir Paul will close the show with songs from his latest album, Memory Almost Full, released through the Starbucks coffee chain, and classic hits. The Beatles were given an Outstanding Contribution prize in 1983, the same year that Sir Paul was named Best Male at the British Phonographic Industry awards.

Mika, the Arctic Monkeys and Take That are also expected to appear at the awards, which will be presented by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.

Amy Winehouse’s mother has written an open letter to the singer calling on her to “take stock” of where her life is going. Janis Winehouse, 52, wrote in the News of the World: “For a moment, forget you’re a superstar. You’re young and vulnerable, no stronger than any of the rest of us.”

The singer was nominated for six Grammy awards, including Best Song for her single Rehab.

Ms Winehouse also said: “Blake, your husband, might not be my favourite person, but he’s your choice and I would never say anything about him to hurt you.”

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