Dido And Kylie top the Brits
Demure chart star Dido had a double delight tonight as she picked up two of the biggest awards at the Brits, including the coveted best album title.
The singer, who was virtually unheard of a year ago in the UK, led the charge to put women on top at the star-studded ceremony with Kylie Minogue also picking up a pair of prizes.
Robbie Williams extended his haul of Brits by landing his 13th, for best British male, at the event in London’s Earl’s Court. It is his ninth prize as a solo star, with his other victories from his Take That days.
But there was disappointment for Damon Albarn’s act Gorillaz who performed at tonight’s show as they fled with nothing despite landing six nominations.
Last year Craig David suffered the same fate, walking away empty-handed after being shortlisted six times. This year he was up for three and again left unrewarded.
Dido, 30, hit the big time after Eminem chose her single Thank You as a backing track for his number one single Stan.
She had to be dropped from the newcomer category last month after an eligibility bungle because she had already been shortlisted for best female in 2000, but lost out out to Sonique.
However she managed to take the title this year as well as the prize for her album No Angel to become the first female best album winner since Annie Lennox in 1993. It is also the first time for eight years that the best group has not won best album.
Minogue, 33, collected the title of best international female after being nominated in three previous years, and she also picked up the best international album.
Further success for girl power came when Destiny’s Child took the best international group title.
Best British group was Travis who collected the title for a second time. They won the same title in 2000.
Controversial garage act So Solid Crew, whose UK tour had to be shelved over fears of violence at their shows, were given the best video prize for their chart-topper 21 Seconds.
S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Movin’ landed the prize for best single, voted by radio listeners.
Boy band Blue, who notched up two number one singles in the past year, were named best newcomer while New York retro-guitar band The Strokes landed the international equivalent.
Shaggy who performed at tonight’s event with Ali G on new single Julie was named best international male.
Winners at the Brits are generally a closely-guarded secret but this year the surprises were undermined with a number of leaks to newspapers.
