Emeli Sandé named best female in Brit Awards double

She won Best British Female Solo Artist and Best British Album of the Year at the star-studded bash.

Virtually unknown last year when she was named Critics’ Choice, Sandé also had two Best British Single nominations – Next To Me and her Labrinth team-up, Beneath Your Beautiful.

Sandé, 25, who grew up in Alford, near Aberdeen, and gave up her medical training at the University of Glasgow to pursue her music, beat stars such as Jessie Ware and the late Amy Winehouse to land the Solo Artist award.

Picking up the Damien Hirst-designed trophy from US star Taylor Swift, she said: “This feels amazing. This is incredible, and I’m so happy to win this award.”

Sandé added: “I don’t really know what to say – thank you to everybody who’s allowed me to make my music and allowed me to even be considered.”

The singer, who sang to a worldwide audience of billions at the opening and closing ceremonies of the London  Olympics and was also the biggest-selling artist of last year, thanked her husband, Adam Gouragine, whom she married last summer.

Adele won the award for Best British Single with her theme song for Skyfall, the James Bond film. The singer, who made a rude gesture with her finger after her acceptance speech was cut short last year, was unable to attend due to filming commitments in Los Angeles.

Mumford & Sons won the award for Best British Group at the event, regarded as the UK music industry’s biggest night of the year, held at the O2 Arena in London.

It was the band’s second Brits win, having collected the best album prize in 2011.

Frontman Marcus Mumford said: “Thanks very much indeed. We weren’t expecting that. I don’t think we’ve really taken the opportunity to thank people who have come to our gigs.”

Ben Howard scooped the award for Best British Male Solo Artist and Best British Breakthrough.

Dumfries-born Calvin Harris, a singer, producer and writer, was one of five contenders for the male solo artist award.

Sandé presented the Critics’ Choice Award to Tom Odell. She told him: “Just enjoy it.”

Best Female International Female Solo Artist went to Lana Del Rey, who thanked people for “turning my life into a work of art”.

The award for Best British Live Act went to Coldplay, who beat competition that included the Rolling Stones – the first time they have been in the running for a Brit for 17 years.

Earlier, as the stars of the music industry walked the red carpet, many were happy to flash the flesh, despite temperatures plunging as low as the necklines.

Singer Jessie J wore a daring black dress with a V-shaped front which dipped almost to her navel.

Mitch Winehouse, father of late singer Amy Winehouse, kept her memory alive, wearing a waistcoat with her face on the back.

The arrival of chart stars One Direction brought screams from fans. The band have one Brit under their belts after collecting the Best Single prize last year for What Makes You Beautiful.

One guest who was running late was Lily Allen, who sent a message on Twitter saying she had headed to Earls Court by mistake.

Guests also included Bond girl Berenice Marlohe, who arrived in a ruched floor-length silver gown and bare shoulders.

Many of the male stars opted for more formal attire, with Robbie Williams and Conor Maynard both arriving in suits.

David Joseph, Brits chairman, has said the ceremony will make up for last year’s howler, which saw Adele cut off in her prime.

Mr Joseph said the ceremony would “rewrite that wrong”.

Adele was memorably interrupted by host James Corden as she collected her second trophy of the night, for best album for 21, over fears that the event would overrun its live time slot on ITV.

Full list of winners for the 2013 Brit Awards

British breakthrough act – Ben Howard

British female solo artist – Emeli Sandé

British group -

Mumford & Sons

Live act – Coldplay

British male solo artist – Ben Howard

British producer –

Paul Epworth

British single –

Adele, Skyfall

Special recognition award – War Child

Brits global success (international sales) –

One Direction

Critics’ choice – Tom Odell

International female solo artist – Lana Del Rey

International group – Black Keys

International male solo artist – Frank Ocean

Best album – Emeli Sandé, Our Version Of Events