When I stepped onto the red carpet to the excruciating sound of hundreds of little girls screaming "Preston! Preston!” I couldn't help but wonder whether any of them had even heard of his band, The Ordinary Boys, before his Big Brother fame. After going through a gauntlet of security I took my seat just in time to see the Kaiser Chiefs kick off the show with their killer anthem "I Predict a Riot.” This was the beginning of their domination of the ceremony. They went on to win the awards for best British Group, best British rock act and best British live act. Coldplay nearly equalled them winning two awards for best British single (Speed of Sound) and best British album (X&Y). However, they upset many fans with the news that they intend to "go into hiding” and not release any more music for the next two years.

The highlights of the ceremony for me were the Gorillaz, who had a one hundred strong child choir and an American rapper to spice up their performance of 'Dirty Harry'. Prince came on the stage looking like a biblical character donned in white robes but still managed to gain a standing ovation. However, one artist stole the show. Kanye West (winner of the International male award) had the Midas touch as he performed his single 'Gold Digger' alongside 77 scantily clad female dancers who were painted gold from head to toe

. It was a spectacular sight and it showed some of the other less tantalising performers like Paul Weller (winner of lifetime achievement award) how to put on a show.

After the awards ceremony it was on to the after parties. First, the official Brit Awards after party at Earls Court which had a funfair theme where people were drunkenly ramming cars on the dodgems and queuing to see palm readers and fortune tellers. Then the fun continued at Universal's after party, at Japanese restaurant Nobu in Mayfair, where I spotted Paris Hilton boogying on the dance floor and chatted with Louis Walsh from the X Factor.

This year's awards clearly show that the British music scene is in the healthiest state it has been for a long time. Could talent have finally beaten good looks?

By Toby Clarke

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