Zara Larsson on her 'incredible' year

Looking back on her 2016, Zara Larsson says that her year has been "incredible".

The Swedish singer is one of the year's break out chart acts.

She says her personal highlight was winning best new artist at the MTV Europe Music Awards, beating DNCE, the Chainsmokers and Lukas Graham.

"That was a huge deal for me, especially as you can only win that once. I felt that was a receipt for all the hard work I've put in."

She began her career at the age of 10 on Sweden's version of Britain's Got Talent, winning more than £400,000 and making her a household name in her home country.

Never Forget You, her collaboration with MNEK, brought her mainstream UK fame, and the follow up - Lush Life - should end up being one of the best-selling singles of the year.

"It's crazy that it's only been a year, especially when you think of the things I've done like performing at Euro 2016."

Despite her travelling all over the world, she's close to her parents, who live back in Sweden, and is heading back to see them for Christmas.

"Mum talks about my career all the time. I love gossiping with her about everything.

"Dad is a more low-key fan. He doesn't say much but when I borrow his tablet or computer and go into YouTube you can see that he's been watching all my videos."

As for her take on 2016, Beyonce's Lemonade was her favourite album.

She is Zara's idol but she's yet to meet the American star - and doesn't know what she'd do if she did.

"Say if I met her on the red carpet, I'd like to think of myself as a professional and say hello. But I think I'd be scared. I'd freak out and definitely start crying."

Watch Zara's Radio 1 Live Lounge performance here.

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She reckons 2016 has been an incredible music year on the whole and says all of her favourite artists released music.

"I'm so inspired by so many people - Rihanna, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Solange. But I don't want those artists to chill. They have to release more music next year.

As for TV, her unlikely favourite show of the year has been Black Mirror which she says has "changed her life".

"I've seen every single episode. It's incredible and gives me so much anxiety. It's borderline genius. I binged on all three series in three days.

"The episode about the (fictional) UK prime minister (and a pig) made me sick to my stomach."

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