NEW YORK (brits.co.uk) - Singer and songwriter Dido completed a double at the Brit Awards on Wednesday nights by winning best British female and best British album.
The 30-year-old Londoner - who little more than a year ago was an unknown performer - joined Kylie Minogue in leading the winners at the UK music industry's most prestigious awards ceremony.
She hit the big time in 2000 when her track Thank You was used as the backing for Eminem's single Stan.
 Dido: Unknown until a year ago
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Accepting the award for best album for No Angel, she said: "I'm a bit overwhelmed by that. Thank you very much. I had a lot of fun making this record - about five years ago - so it's amazing to be picking this up tonight.
"I want to thank everyone who helped me you're amazing."
She had special praise for her brother Rollo - part of dance act Faithless.
"He's my musical partner, my best friend and it wouldn't be as much fun without you," she said.
Minogue, 33, won best international female and best international album for Fever.
She wowed the audience when she performed her hit Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
Microdress
 Kylie Minogue's performance wowed the crowd
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The singer rose from the stage on an outsize compact disc, then strutted around wearing a bodiced microdress and thigh-length silver boots, surrounded by robotic dancers, occasionally lifting the hem.
But she looked to be fighting back tears when she collected the best international female prize from actor Russell Crowe.
"I'm feeling a little nervous and emotional," she said, before going on to thank boyfriend James Gooding and "the people that keep me sane".
Later, she said it had been an "incredibly special evening for me".
Robbie Williams won best British male for the third time in four years, while Irish boy band Westlife won best pop group.
 Bryan McFadden: Not so squeaky-clean
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Singer Bryan McFadden dented their squeaky-clean image by declaring: "This award is from the heart, and I'm not saying that like the s*** that most people say."
He was also involved in an altercation with one of London garage act So Solid Crew's entourage, but security soon stepped in.
The spokesman said: "Some bottles were thrown but security moved in quickly and calmed the situation.
Gorillaz lose out
Animated pop band Gorillaz - the latest project of Blur singer Damon Albarn - topped the nominations, and they were the first act on stage, using a 3-D animation which reportedly cost �300,000 to produce.
But they walked away empty-handed from the ceremony, as did Craig David, who was nominated for three awards, but won nothing for the second year in a row.
So Solid Crew won best video for 21 Seconds - and 28 members of the collective performed on stage.
Travis won best British group for a second time - they first took the honour in 2000.
 Host Frank Skinner donned a Union Jack shirt
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Pop act Blue won best British newcomer, while
Shaggy - who performed with Sacha Baron Cohen's spoof rapper Ali G - picked up best international male artist from actress Daryl Hannah, who turned up bare-footed and said she was a "big fan of hip-hop".
US R 'n' B act Destiny's Child won best international group, while other winners included The Strokes (best international group) and Basement Jaxx (best dance act).
'Rude'
Host Frank Skinner caused the most controversy this year - but his jokes went down badly with the audience.
He upset award presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor when he greeted her by saying: "I was going to say why the wide face."
She replied: "I could be very rude about you but I'm a lady."
 Not amused: Sophie Ellis-Bextor |
He also made lewd jokes about Sir Elton John, tried to yodel on stage, and took a dig at Pop Idol runner-up
Gareth Gates by asking the show's judge
Simon Cowell: "Is it true that Gareth is doing a cover of the Beach Boys'
Barbara Ann? It lasts four and a half hours."
Later, he acknowleged the cool reception he and co-host Zoe Ball were getting, saying it was "like a homage to Fleetwood and Fox" - a reference to the notorious 1989 ceremony presented by Mick Fleetwood and Samantha Fox.
Robbie Williams also took a dig at Pop Idol - by attacking winner Will Young in his acceptance speech, which was recorded in Los Angeles.
 Russell Crowe greets Kylie Minogue
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The singer said: "Third time, best male artist - it's amazing, it really is amazing. I'd just like to say to Will from
Popstars (sic), I'm too strong buddy.
"You want to come and take my food off my table, stop my kids going through school. Craig David couldn't do it - what makes you think you can do it?"
Sting won the outstanding achievement prize, and accepted it by saying simply: "Music is its own reward, that's all I need to say."
