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Soul singer Duffy and US rockers King of Leon triumphed at the Brit awards in London on Wednesday, taking five prizes between them in the biggest night of the year for British music.
Elbow were named best British group, beating Coldplay whom they will support during a North American tour this year, while former The Jam front man Paul Weller was crowned best male solo artist.
Rapper Kanye West was named best international male solo artist, Katy Perry won best international female solo artist and Iron Maiden -- currently on a world tour -- were crowned best British live act.
Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy was close to tears as she accepted the award for best British album for "Rockferry", the biggest selling debut album in the world last year and the winner of a Grammy earlier this month.
"I can't tell you what this means after five years, thank you so much," the 24-year-old said.
She was also named best British female solo artist and British breakthrough act, while Bernard Butler won the award for best British producer of the year for his work on "Rockferry".
Kings of Lean frontman Caleb Followill paid tribute to his British following as he received gongs for best international album for "Only by the Night" and best international group.
The singer, whose band has enjoyed much greater success in Europe and Australia than in their native United States, said: "If it were not for England, Kings of Leon would not be a band... You created Kings of Leon, so good luck getting rid of us."
Elbow received a standing ovation when they were named best British group. Formed in Manchester, northern England, in 1991, the band has steadily built its fan base and reputation, and won a Mercury Prize last year.
"This is really special," said leader singer Guy Garvey. "We love where we live and we love making music. To be involved in these celebrations is a really big thing."
Weller, 50, was unable to attend the ceremony to pick up the second Brit of his career -- after an oustanding contribution to music prize three years ago -- but was given the award by fellow nominee Adele via video link.
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson also appeared via video from the band's world tour to accept the prize for best British live act, saying it was a "great honour".
Pop group Girls Aloud won the award for best British single for "The Promise", which was chosen by a live public vote on the night, prompting delighted bandmember Sarah Harding to exclaim: "It's about time!"
Girls Aloud, Duffy, Kings of Leon and boy band Take That all performed live, with Take That descending on the stage in a cloud of smoke and green lights to screams from adoring fans in the audience.
Also on stage were the Pet Shop Boys, who won the Brit for outstanding contribution to music.
Joined by Lady GaGa and Brandon Flowers from the Killers, they performed a medley of their best-known hits from "West End Girls" to "Always on My Mind".
Coldplay left empty-handed despite being nominated for four awards, apparently cold-shouldered by their home fans despite winning three Grammys this year.
London singer Florence and The Machine, who burst on to the music scene last year and is still working on her first album, won the critic's choice award.
Everybody appeared on best behaviour at this year's Brits, which have in the past been a hub for controversy and had to be broadcast on delay from 1989 to 2006 because of the antics of those attending.
In 1996, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker stormed the stage in protest at Michael Jackson's performance.
Two years later, Chumbawumba singer Danbert Nobacon dumped a bucket of ice water over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, while acid house oddballs The KLF fired machine gun blanks at the audience and dumped a dead sheep at the aftershow party following the 1992 awards.
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-23 17:35:20
