A RISING electronic music star from Chandler's Ford has failed in his quest to win British pop's most prestigious trophy.

William Doyle, who performs under the name East India Youth, was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize for original UK albums.

His debut LP, Total Strife Forever, was among the favourites to take home the gong but rank outsiders Young Fathers emerged victorious at a star-studded ceremony in London on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old said the prospect of stardom didn’t affect him until moments before the prize was announced.

“It just dawned on me in those 10 or 20 seconds,” he said. “I thought ‘if I win this, I’m going to have to up there and do the speech.’

“I feel like this was the best outcome in a way. It sets us up nicely for what’s coming next ... without too much expectation.

“I treated myself as an outsider still. But it was a lot of fun hanging out with all the other bands and the production was amazing.”

Last month Doyle told the Hampshire Chronicle that the album was inspired by lonely walks he took around Chandler's Ford as a teenager.

Reflecting on its success took him back to his roots as a musician at Toynbee School, he said.

He is currently working on his second LP, due early next year.