This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7895443.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Duffy crowned queen of the Brits Duffy crowned queen of the Brits
(30 minutes later)
Welsh singer Duffy has scored a Brit hat-trick, picking up three awards including a statue for the coveted best British album. Welsh singer Duffy has scored a Brit Awards hat-trick, picking up three prizes including the coveted statue for best British album.
The 24-year-old fought back tears as she accepted the award saying it was the result of "five years' work". The 24-year-old fought back tears as she accepted the award, saying it was the result of "five years' work".
Duffy was also named best British female and won the British breakthrough award, which is voted for by the listeners of BBC Radio 1. Duffy was also named best British female and won the British breakthrough award at the ceremony in west London.
The ceremony was held at Earls Court in west London. Elbow were named best British group, Girls Aloud won best British single and Paul Weller took best British male.
Accepting her British female award, Duffy said: "It's a real honour to be here, I don't know what this means but it's a good job my mum didn't have a boy." Accepting her British female award, Duffy said: "It's a real honour to be here. British female - I don't know what that means, but it's a good job my mum didn't have a boy."
I Kissed a Girl singer Katy Perry flew into the UK to pick up best international female despite claiming to be ill. I Kissed a Girl singer Katy Perry flew into the UK to pick up best international female despite being ill.
She said: "I am so sick right now but they said to show up to the Brits because something special might happen." She said: "I'm so sick right now, but they said to show up to the Brits because something special might happen... Obviously I've worked pretty hard because I want to die now."
Festival themeFestival theme
This year's show was themed around music festivals, with the stage adorned with a caravan, ducks and a huge pink tee-pees. This year's stage had a music festival theme, with the stars performing under a giant Glastonbury-style pyramid, flanked by cows, a caravan and a tipi.
Irish rockers U2 opened the show with a live version of their new single, Get On Your Boots. Irish rockers U2 opened the show with a performance of their new single, Get On Your Boots. A heavily made-up Bono told the crowd it was "good to be back".
A heavily made-up Bono told the crowd it was "good to be back". Girls Aloud celebrated their first ever Brit Award
Take a tour around the Brits after-show bash Hosts James Corden and Matt Horne then appeared, dressed in red skirts and thigh length boots, as backing dancers as co-host Kylie Minogue sang Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
Hosts James Corden and Matt Horne then appeared, dressed in red skirts and knee length boots, as backing dancers to co-host Kylie Minogue. Veteran singer Paul Weller, who beat Will Young, Ian Brown, James Morrison and The Streets to win best British male, was not at the ceremony.
Veteran singer Paul Weller was named best British male ahead of Will Young, Ian Brown, James Morrison and The Streets. He accepted the award from singer Adele in a pre-taped video, saying: "I'm sorry, I can't be there tonight but thank you very much for this award."
Weller was not at the ceremony and accepted the award from singer Adele in a pre-taped video. US rockers Kings of Leon won two awards - best international group and best international album.
He said: "I'm sorry, I can't be there tonight but thank you very much for this award." Dressed in suits, they collected the first from former Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia, joking that "it was not just for our good looks - it was for our music as well".
US rockers Kings of Leon were named best international group. Dressed in suits, they collected their award from former Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia, joking that "it was not just for our good looks - it was for our music as well".
Metal legendsMetal legends
The best British live act, chosen by listeners of BBC Radio 2, went to heavy metal legends Iron Maiden.The best British live act, chosen by listeners of BBC Radio 2, went to heavy metal legends Iron Maiden.
Again, they were a no-show and thanked their fans in a video, standing in front of their huge skeleton mascot, Eddie. They were a no-show and thanked their fans in a video, standing in front of their huge skeleton mascot, Eddie.
Singer Bruce Dickinson said: "We couldn't keep this entire show on the road without our fans. They're the people that keep this band alive."Girls Aloud celebrated their first Brit award Singer Bruce Dickinson said: "We couldn't keep this entire show on the road without our fans. They're the people that keep this band alive."
Take a tour around the Brit Awards after-show bash
He added: "And I do hope that Eddie doesn't get too jealous."He added: "And I do hope that Eddie doesn't get too jealous."
Yet another no-show was Kanye West, who received the Best International Male award. He joked that he was taking his new title literally claiming "in every nation I'm the best male". Another absentee was Kanye West, who received the best international male award. He joked that he was taking his new title literally, claiming "in every nation I'm the best male".
He added: "That means if you go to a club, and you're a girl, and you're looking for a male, and you see me, you now have the best."He added: "That means if you go to a club, and you're a girl, and you're looking for a male, and you see me, you now have the best."
Best British group went to Elbow, who won the Mercury prize for their album, The Seldom Seen Kid. Best British group went to Elbow, who can add the Brit to the Mercury Prize they won for their album The Seldom Seen Kid last year.
Receiving the prize from David Hasselhoff, they paid a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the former Baywatch star.Receiving the prize from David Hasselhoff, they paid a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the former Baywatch star.
Singer Guy Garvey joked: "You will not believe how long it has taken to get this close to the Hoff - but it's worth it."Singer Guy Garvey joked: "You will not believe how long it has taken to get this close to the Hoff - but it's worth it."
Single voteSingle vote
Viewers voted throughout the show for the winner of best British single which went to Girls Aloud. Viewers voted throughout the show for the winner of best British single, which went to Girls Aloud for The Promise.
A clearly delighted Sarah Harding screamed: "It's about time."Pet Shop Boys released their debut album 22 years ago A clearly delighted Sarah Harding screamed: "Can I just say, it's about time."The Pet Shop Boys were joined by Brandon Flowers and Lady GaGa
The Pet Shop Boys received an award for their outstanding contribution and closed the show with a medley of their greatest hits including Go West, West End Girls and Always On My Mind. The Pet Shop Boys received an outstanding contribution award and closed the show with a medley of greatest hits including Go West, West End Girls and Always On My Mind.
They were joined on stage by Lady Gaga and Brandon Flowers, singer with The Killers. They were joined on stage by US chart-topper Lady GaGa and The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers.
Flowers, who presented the award, told how he was one of the group's greatest fans and once chose Pet Shop Boys over The Smiths when he only had cash for one album. Flowers, who presented the award, told how he was one of the group's greatest fans and once chose Pet Shop Boys over The Smiths when he only had enough cash for one album.
Former Suede star Bernard Butler has already been named producer of the year for his work on records by Duffy and Black Kids. Former Suede star Bernard Butler had already been named producer of the year for his work on records by Duffy and Black Kids.
Meanwhile, Florence and the Machine received the Critics' Choice prize for new talent.Meanwhile, Florence and the Machine received the Critics' Choice prize for new talent.