Robbie claims astonishment over latest Brit
Robbie Williams tonight expressed his amazement that his stellar career was still going after he won the gong for the best song of the past 25 years.
The former Take That star scooped the honour for his hit Angels, voted for by BBC Radio 2 listeners, at the Brit Awards at London’s Earls Court.
Williams joked that he was “always the talented man of the band” as he accepted the accolade from Matt Lucas and David Walliams of TV comedy Little Britain.
He had looked anxious when host Chris Evans had told him it would be presented by former bandmates Gary Barlow and Howard Donald.
Instead Lucas and Walliams, who were dressed up as the pair, handed it over the star, who was sporting a new shaven-headed look.
As he received the award, his 15th Brit, Williams said: “I’m just amazed that my career keeps going.”
Some of the biggest stars of the showbiz world turned up for tonight’s ceremony, now in its 25th year.
No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani dazzled waiting crowds on the red carpet as she arrived with four models in mini sailor outfits.
Meanwhile Denise van Outen and Eurovision hopeful Jordan braved the freezing weather in tiny minidresses.
Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Will Young, Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield, Dannii Minogue, and Minnie Driver, were also among the celebrities who arrived.
Billie Piper, another guest, cheered husband Chris Evans when he came on stage, despite their split.
The Scissors Sisters delighted the crowd with a flamboyant entrance, springing out of two giant golden eggs perched underneath a pink rooster on the stage.
A singing watermelon and dancing egg accompanied the band’s Jake Shears, who was wearing brown leather trousers, no shirt, braces and a plumage on his back, and Ana Matronic, in a yellow feather dress.
The US band won International Breakthrough Act and Shears declared: “It’s been the best year of our lives.”
Scottish four-piece Franz Ferdinand, who in May 2002 played their first gig to 40 people in Glasgow, were announced as winners in the Best British Rock section.
Keane’s Tom Chaplin thanked his band’s fans for enduring “rubbish gigs” after they won Best British Breakthrough Act.
He added: “A lot of people don’t think it’s cool that we’ve had the guts to be ourselves but it’s a vital part of who we are as a band and receiving this is recognition of that.”
Muse won Best British Live Act and Will Young won in the British Single category for Your Game.
There were performances on stage by Franz Ferdinand and Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, as well as a duet by brother-and-sister Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield.
