Three-year deal ties Mobo Awards to Glasgow

Scotland's biggest city staged the show in September 2009 - the first time it was held outside London.

The city will host the awards this year, in 2013 and for the 20th anniversary of the event in 2015.

Singer and Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon and Mobo awards founder Kanya King made the announcement at a press conference in Glasgow today.

Ms King said: "It's really great to have a home for all these years and really building on what I consider a phenomenally successful relationship. A great foundation working with our partners EventScotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and the Scottish community."

Asked why the city had been chosen for those three years, she said: "It's a perfect fit for us. Glasgow is a phenomenal music destination and Glasgow's used to putting on world-class events.

"In 2009 we got phenomenal support from the fans, we were really well received. So to me there couldn't be a better place to have the Mobo Awards show this year and 2013 and 2015.

"We can't yet announce who is performing because that's a big surprise later on, but we'll be definitely announcing some phenomenal names because 2009 in Glasgow was a huge success for us. We set the bar high and so we've got to exceed all the expectations out there."

The Mobos, which honour the best music of black origin, will be held at the city's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) on October 5.

It is the third year running that the event, launched in 1996, has been held outside London.

The 2013 show will be staged at the new national arena in Glasgow.

Dixon, who hosted the awards last year in Liverpool, said: "The music scene in Glasgow is buzzing. There's a vibrancy and energy to the city which is infectious.

"I feel like I live in Glasgow. I stay here a lot. My manager is Scottish. I've been up here many times to perform."