Duffy crowned Queen of the Brits

In pictures: Brits arrivals

Welsh singer Duffy has scored a Brit hat-trick picking up three awards including a statue for the coveted best British album.

The 24-year-old fought back tears as she accepted the award saying it was the result of "five years hard work".

Duffy was also named best British female and won the British breakthrough award, which is voted for by the listeners of BBC Radio 1.

The ceremony was held at Earls court in west London.

Accepting her British female award, Duffy said: "It's a real honour to be here, I don't know what this means but it's a good job my mum didn't have a boy."

I Kissed a Girl singer Katy Perry flew into the UK to pick up best international female despite claiming to be ill.

She said: "I am so sick right now but they said to show up to the Brits because something special might happen."

Festival theme

This year's show was themed around music festivals, with the stage adorned with a caravan, ducks and a huge pink tee-pees.

Irish rockers U2 opened the show with a live version of their new single, Get On Your Boots.

A heavily made-up Bono told the crowd it was "good to be back".

Hosts James Corden and Matt Horne then appeared, dressed in red skirts and knee length boots, as backing dancers to co-host Kylie Minogue.

Take a tour around the Brits after-show bash

Veteran singer Paul Weller was named best British male ahead of Will Young, Ian Brown, James Morrison and The Streets.

Weller was not at the ceremony and accepted the award from singer Adele in a pre-taped video.

He said: "I'm sorry, I can't be there tonight but thank you very much for this award."

US rockers Kings of Leon were named best international group. Dressed in suits, they collected their award from former Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia, joking that "it was not just for our good looks - it was for our music as well".

Metal legends

The best British live act, chosen by listeners of BBC Radio 2, went to heavy metal legends Iron Maiden.

Again, they were a no-show and thanked their fans in a video, standing in front of their huge skeleton mascot, Eddie.

Singer Bruce Dickinson said: "We couldn't keep this entire show on the road without our fans. They're the people that keep this band alive."

He added: "And I do hope that Eddie doesn't get too jealous."

Best British group went to Elbow, who won the Mercury prize for their album, The Seldom Seen Kid.

Receiving the prize from David Hasselhoff, they paid a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the former Baywatch star.

Singer Guy Garvey joked: "You will not believe how long it has taken to get this close to the Hoff - but it's worth it."

Single vote

Viewers voted throughout the show for the winner of best British single which went to Girls Aloud.

The Pet Shop Boys received an award for their outstanding contribution and closed the show with a medley of their greatest hits.

They were joined on stage by Lady Gaga and Brandon Flowers, singer with The Killers.

Former Suede star Bernard Butler has already been named producer of the year for his work on records by Duffy and Black Kids.

Meanwhile, Florence and the Machine received the Critics' Choice prize for new talent.