Pharrell’s doubly Happy at BBC Music Awards

Pixie Lott on the red carpet last night. Picture: PA

Scots DJ and record producer Calvin Harris also performed alongside singers John Newman and Ellie Goulding, presenting never before heard versions of hits Blame and Outside at the event which was broadcast on TV and radio from Earls Court in London.

Other big names to feature on the bill were Coldplay, Clean Bandit and will.i.am.

Up for grabs were just three awards – Song Of The Year, Best British Artist And Best International Artist – a surprise Introducing award was also handed out on the night.

One Direction performed their hit Steal My Girl from their new album to piercing screams from the 13,500 fans who attended the show, which was live on BBC1 and on Radios 1 and 2, and hosted by Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton. Evans presented the band with a gift for having four successive albums chart at number one in the US.

Band member Liam Payne said: “You guys started it all of for us. We want to thank the British fans so much.”

US singer Pharrell Williams made off with the first two gongs of the night – International Artist of the Year and Song Of The Year for Happy, fending off competition from Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Gregory Porter, Lorde and Prince.

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Williams appeared on video to accept his award with The Voice USA coach Gwen Stefani from LA and said: “It’s been an amazing experience and a great journey, thanks to the BBC and countless, amazing English fans, who have lifted me to unimaginable heights.”

In the Song of the Year category voted for by viewers and listeners he saw off Clean Bandit (featuring Jess Glynne) –Rather Be; Coldplay – A Sky Full of Stars; Ed Sheeran – Sing; Ella Henderson – Ghost; George Ezra – Budapest; Kiesza – Hideaway; Lorde – Royals; Nico & Vinz – Am I Wrong and Sam Smith – Money On My Mind.

This time he added from California: “God bless the UK!”

Meanwhile, Sheeran was crowned British Artist of the Year fending off David Bowie, Elbow, Jungle, Royal Blood and Sam Smith to clinch the title.

Young British act Catfish and the Bottlemen were also winners on the night after being presented with a surprise BBC Introducing award.

Corporation bosses downplayed suggestions the event is being launched as a rival to the Brit Awards which are staged in February and are broadcast by ITV.

The build-up to the show featured on a number of BBC shows throughout the day from BBC Breakfast to The One Show.

Pixie Lott seemed to be getting into the Christmas spirit by dressing as a present with a huge bow on her frock as she took to the red carpet at the star-studded event.

The singer – who was voted off Strictly Come Dancing last weekend, to the surprise of many viewers – wore a white dress with the top half dominated by the bow above her bare midriff.

Another singer to draw the attention of flashbulbs was Paloma Faith, who wore a floor-length shoulderless leather dress, she appeared to give a peck on the cheek to Sir Tom Jones on the red carpet.

The pair also performed at the show.

Some guests chose to dress down, with Sheeran – a nominee and performer at the show – turning up in black jeans, a long-sleeved top and trainers.

One Direction arrived in smart jackets with all five band members wearing skintight black trousers.

The group’s Zayn Malik wore his hair with a loose strand across his face – a style which recently caused a stir on Twitter among 1D fans.

Chart-topping singer Goulding arrived in a salmon pink suit with nothing beneath her jacket.

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