Damien Hirst gives Brit Award statue dotty makeover

Artist Damien Hirst will have Brit Award winners seeing spots before their eyes - after decorating this year's trophy with his signature design.

Hirst has put his own stamp on the prize as the latest figure to stylise the figurine, adding the multicoloured dots which he has used in many of his well-known artworks.

His spots have been applied to numerous canvases and even a car over the years.

Hirst follows Dame Vivienne Westwood and Sir Peter Blake in giving the statuette a makeover, and said he had been "honoured" to be asked.

"It has become such an iconic award, I love the Brits," he said.

Hirst's exhibition at Tate Modern last year was the most popular solo show ever staged at the gallery, attracting around 463,000 visitors, and helping the venue to record numbers through its doors.

The award has been unveiled ahead of tonight's announcement of the Brits shortlists.

Tom Odell, the winner of this year's critics' choice prize, will get his hands on the trophy first when the 2012 winner Emeli Sande hands over the prize at the launch in London's Savoy Hotel tonight,

Brits chairman David Joseph said: "Damien is truly one of the most important British artists and his reimagining of the statue will make winning a 2013 Brits an even more special proposition."