Singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding has come out on top of the BBC Sound of 2010 list, which aims to highlight the most exciting emerging artists for the coming 12 months.

Goulding was studying drama at university when she struck upon the style that has made her the most hotly-tipped new artist on the music scene.

Armed only with an acoustic guitar, she was struggling to find her voice. But after being introduced to a futuristic dance scene by a flatmate, she combined the two styles to create songs that are delicate and personal while also being cutting-edge and club-friendly.

If Kate Bush, Bjork and Stevie Nicks shared a flat in trendy Shoreditch in 2010, this noise would emerge.

But she is no wild and eccentric pop star. Raised in Herefordshire, she is as down-to-earth as they come. Rather than drink or drugs, her addiction of choice is jogging and she says the worst thing about becoming popular is that she cannot go for a run every day.

She also talks with deep concern about dogs fouling in the park, cars failing to stop at zebra crossings and people pushing on the Tube. She is a very nice girl.

Goulding dropped out of university to move to London and pursue music, but not before winning an award for "person most likely to have their name in lights".

"Nobody really knew I was a singer at that point so I don't really know why I was given that," she says. "But it is interesting."

the rest of the top 5 for this year were -
#2 - Marina & the Diamonds
#3 - Delphic
#4 - Hurts
#5 - the Drums