The Darkness among the winners at Ivor Novello awards

LONDON, UK (Darkness Fans & Ivor Novello Awards Website) - UK rock band The Darkness today won the prestigious Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year award.
Darkness singer Justin Hawkins, who recently underwent throat surgery, raised a toast to "songwriters everywhere".
He said: "This the biggest award you can get if you write your own songs. We have always wanted something like this but didn't expect to be in this position now. Now we've got here we're not going to let it go. This is wonderful."
He joked: "It's a great award, it's the heaviest – I think it might be lead."

Other winners at the 49th Ivors for British songwriters and composers included jazz singer Amy Winehouse, who picked up Best Contemporary Song award for Stronger Than Me, co-written by Salaam Remi; while Pop Idol Will Young's Leave Right Now, written by Francis Eg White, bagged the Best Strong Musically and Lyrically award.

The 49th Ivor Novello Awards for British songwriters, composers and music took place at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London W1 today (Thursday May 27).

The 49th Ivor Novello Awards full winners list following:
Best Song Musically & Lyrically: Will Young - Leave Right Now
Best Contemporary Song: Amy Winehouse - Stronger Than Me
The Ivors Dance Award: Goldfrapp - Strict Machine
Best Original Film Score: Jonny Greenwood -Bodysong
PRS Most Performed Work: Jamelia - Superstar
International Hit Of The Year: Dido - White Flag
Best Selling UK Single: Michael Andrews & Gary Jules - Mad World
Outstanding Song Collection: 10CC - Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, Graham Gouldman
International Achievement: Radiohead
Outstanding Contribution To British Music: Errol Brown
Songwriters Of The Year: The Darkness
The Special International Award: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland (Holland Dozier Holland)