The Brits 2008

Scroll to the bottom for pictures from the night

Sir Paul McCartney hailed British music "the best" as he was honoured for outstanding achievement at the Brit Awards.

After a week locked in a bitter divorce battle with estranged wife Heather Mills, he closed the ceremony with a 15-minute medley of hits which earned him a standing ovation from the 8,000-strong audience.

The night's other star performer was Amy Winehouse, who made her return to the British stage after a stint in rehab and fresh from her five-time Grammy success.

The bash threw up a few surprises, with Kate Nash beating Leona Lewis to the Best British Female title. Producer Mark Ronson won Best British Male - the first non-singer ever to take the award.

Take That were double winners, scooping Best Live Act and Best Single for Shine, as were Arctic Monkeys. The Sheffield band won Best British Group and Best British Album for Favourite Worst Nightmare.

They maintained their reputation for not taking awards ceremonies too seriously by turning up attired as country gents and blowing a hunting horn on stage.

Other winners included Mika (Best British Breakthrough Act) and Kanye West (Best International Male).

X Factor's Leona Lewis was nominated in four categories but came away with nothing and Kylie Minogue won Best International Female and performed new hit Wow.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne hosted the Earls Court awards ceremony, aided by their children Kelly and Jack, which was broadcast live on ITV1.

• Editor's Blog
• BRITS Special
• Winners In Full
• View From The Couch 
• Buy Nominee Concert Tickets
• Download Music By The Nominees