The Pakistan-born singer-songwriter Rumer has capped off a remarkable year by winning the prize for best newcomer at the annual Mojo awards. After spending more than a decade chasing a record deal, the last 12 months has seen the Slow singer go platinum, play Glastonbury and get an unexpected boost of publicity from John Prescott. The 32-year-old Rumer, whose real name is Sarah Joyce, won the coveted breakthrough award at Thursday night's ceremony in east London. She was also nominated for best album of the year for her debut Seasons of My Soul but lost to the Arctic Monkeys, who took it for their fourth album, Suck it and See. Mojo editor Phil Alexander said Rumer had had a life-changing year nonetheless. "It has been a remarkable 12 months for Rumer," Alexander told the Guardian. "It's all about the songs with her. That's what's made Seasons of My Soul one of the biggest-selling British albums in recent memory." Rumer's long-awaited recognition comes after 11 years of chasing a record deal while working as a waitress, cleaner and receptionist. That all changed with the release last year of Seasons, which reached number three in the charts. The album won her several prominent fans, legendary producer Burt Bacharach, who has since written a number of songs for her and, more unusually, John Prescott. TFP