Lianne La Havas' voice has got better since she stopped smoking.

The 23-year-old singer - who is nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, which will be awarded tonight (01.11.12) - suffered a recent health scare when she got a kidney infection, forcing her to cancel shows, and has since cut out cigarettes and alcohol to benefit her vocals.

She said: ''I did originally say I'd have a drink if I won the prize, but I don't really mind now. I'm going to have a good time anyway.

''I feared for my life when I got sick as I haven't been in hospital since I was a child. But I've never felt better than when I came out of hospital and my lifestyle has changed now.

''My voice is much stronger as I've quit smoking as well.''

The London-born star is also looking forward to meeting some her fellow nominees at the event at the Roundhouse in Camden.

She told the Daily Star newspaper: ''I'd love to sit near Alt-J because I've never seen any of them in real life, so I want to see what they look like. I imagine they're really gorgeous and cool-looking.

''It would be nice to sit near Michael Kiwanuka, too, because I know him and he makes me laugh.''

The Mercury Prize will also see Plan B, The Maccabees, Richard Hawley, Jessie Ware, Roller Trio, Field Music, Sam Lee, Ben Howard and Django Django fight it out for the prize tonight.