Brits go Gaga for eccentric star
Eccentric singer Lady Gaga cleaned up during a raucous 30th Brit Awards show after winning a hat-trick of statuettes.
Eccentric singer Lady Gaga cleaned up during a raucous 30th Brit Awards show after winning a hat-trick of statuettes.
The New Yorker won all three trophies she was nominated for - best international female solo artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album.
She arrived at the London ceremony last night wearing a three-tiered white dress and a tall white wig, was moved to tears by her awards and dedicated the night to fashion designer Alexander McQueen who died last week.
The expletive-laden event saw British singer Lily Allen court controversy by landing on stage astride a replica bomb to the sound of air raid sirens.
After being named Best British Female, she swore as a horn sounded from beyond the stage during her acceptance speech.
All eyes were also on Cheryl Cole, whose husband Ashley is at the centre of lurid newspaper allegations.
She gave a slightly chaotic performance of her hit song Fight For This Love, but received strong applause and said simply: "Thank you, thank you."
Dizzee Rascal was named best British male, telling the audience: "It's about time as well," as he collected his award. Fellow rapper Jay-Z won the prize for best international male.
Rockers Kasabian were named Best British group, and Florence And The Machine picked up Best British album for Lungs.
It was also a successful night for JLS who collected the award for British breakthrough act, then the statuette for best British single for Beat Again.
The band, runners-up on The X Factor 2008, beat the show's winner, Alexandra Burke, who was nominated for her single Bad Boys, and judge Cheryl Cole with Fight For This Love.
The show, broadcast live on ITV, were punctuated throughout by silence as offensive language was muted.
It also suffered a shaky start when the sound disappeared and comedian host Peter Kay appeared confused, tapping his microphone to check it was working while the message "audio is muted" came on screens.
Two special categories were created to celebrate the best of the Brits over the past 30 years - the best Brits performance and the best album since the ceremony began.
The Spice Girls' 1997 performance of their hits Wannabe and Who Do You Think You Are took the first award while Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory was named best album.