Justin Hawkins et al took three of the sixteen awards on offer at the Earls Court event - including two of the big ones, Best Group and Best Album. Accepting the former Hawkins joked, "I have to say, we probably are the best British group," but such bragging was supported by a few more humble remarks. After winning Best Album he told the Brits audience, "This is the award we all secretly hoped for - it's huge, it's a real privilege."

Other multiple winners at the Brits had a more pop feel. Busted ended their year of pop supremacy with two awards (Best Breakthrough and Best Pop Act)
while Justin Timberlake added two more gongs to his crowded trophy cabinet
(Best International Male and Best International Album). On picking up his second award he joked: "This is only my first record so you guys stick with me - we've got depression and drug addiction to go through."

Other international winners included Beyonce (Best International Female) and
the White Stripes (Best International Group). Having been overlooked at the
Grammys, 50 Cent also got to add another award to his collection taking Best
International Breakthrough.

Of course you could argue that the winners of the Best British Male and Female awards have something on an international flavour. Best Male Daniel Bedingfield has his roots in New Zealand while, if you believe the Sun, Dido is Irish. Both have British passports we're assured, though neither could prove it because they both delivered their acceptance speeches via the ether. Bedingfield, who is still in New Zealand recovering from that nasty car crash, accepted his over the phone, while Dido, taking time off from the junket circuit to work on some new material, sent in a video speech.

Perhaps the surprise of the night was that Fame Academy runner up Lemar took Best Urban Artist ahead of Big Brovaz, Mis-Teeq, Dizzee Rascal and flavour of the moment Amy Winehouse.

No surprises, of course, when it comes to the Outstanding Contribution
Award. Justin Timberlake handed the honour to Duran Duran - a fitting
tribute to mark the reunion of the band's original line up. Accepting the
award Simon Le Bon said: "This band owes everything to this country and to
the great British music scene. By presenting us with this award you have
validated us. You have also honoured us with a place alongside those who
first inspired us."