The Nobel committee chose Maria Corina Machado from more than 338 nominations – 244 individuals and 94 organisations.

However,the names of nominees are never confirmed publicly,whether to the candidates themselves nor to the media.

If a name is announced,this is usually either due to speculation or after individuals announce they have nominated specific candidates.

The favourite was Mr Zelensky alongside Yulia Navalnaya,the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Another potential winner was thought to be Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms,a volunteer-run group which played a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid during the country’s civil war.