Cut down by the Scissor Sisters

THE Scots band Franz Ferdinand added two Brit awards to their mantelpiece of prestigious accolades last night, as they performed to a rapturous audience at a ceremony dominated by up-and-coming acts from home and abroad.

Nominated in five categories, the four-piece group from Glasgow beat off fierce contenders to take the titles best group and best rock act.

That haul was only bettered by the camp New York pop stars the Scissor Sisters, who bagged three awards: best international group, best international breakthrough act and best international album.

Picking up the awards last night, Franz Ferdinand’s singer, Alex Kapranos, summed up the modesty of the group, who played their first gig to 40 people in Glasgow just two and half years ago. He said: "We’ve had a smashing time and we think it’s time for someone else to have a go."

The awards ceremony staged at London’s Earls Court was one of the most glamorous Brit awards to date, marking its 25th anniversary.

The triumphant Scissor Sisters delighted the crowd with a flamboyant entrance, springing out of two giant golden eggs perched underneath a pink rooster on the stage. A singing watermelon and dancing egg accompanied the band’s Jake Shears, who was wearing brown leather trousers, no shirt, braces and plumage on his back, and Ana Matronic, in a yellow feather dress.

Shears thanked his parents, the record label "for taking a gamble on us" and the British public, saying: "It’s been the best year of our lives."

Matronic said: "I have Cornish, Welsh and Irish heritage and it’s amazing to be embraced by a place that I owe my ginger hair to."

In the other main categories, Joss Stone, right, the teenage soul diva from Devon, was crowned best British female. Stone, who has been hailed in some quarters as the new Aretha Franklin, beat Jamelia to the title. The 17-year-old also took the prize for best urban act, beating Jamelia, The Streets and Dizzee Rascal.

The Streets, aka Mike Skinner, whose acclaimed single Dry Your Eyes Mate has seen him earn fans with a poetic bent, won best British male singer.

Guitar-free band Keane scored a double win with awards for best British breakthrough act and best British album for Hopes and Fears.

Picking up the first of the band’s two gongs, Tom Chaplin said: "It’s a bit of a shock to be standing up here. Thanks to all those long-suffering people who supported us along the way and endured lots of rubbish gigs.

"A lot of people don’t think it’s cool that we’ve had the guts to be ourselves but it’s a vital part of who we are as a band and receiving this is recognition of that."

As widely predicted, Robbie Williams won best song of the past 25 years with his anthemic Angels - chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners from a shortlist compiled by industry experts.

Eminem and Gwen Stefani won best male and female international artist, respectively.

Former Boomtown Rat Sir Bob Geldof was honoured for his outstanding contribution to music.

The show was hosted by Chris Evans, in his first presenter role in four years.

THE WINNERS

THE full list of Brit Award winners is:

British Male Solo Artist: The Streets

British Female Solo Artist: Joss Stone

British Group: Franz Ferdinand

British Album: Keane - Hopes and Fears

British Single: Will Young - Your Game

British Breakthrough Act: Keane

British Urban Act: Joss Stone

British Rock Act: Franz Ferdinand

British Live Act: Muse

Brits25 Best Song Award: Robbie Williams - Angels

Pop Act: McFly

International Male Solo Artist: Eminem

International Female Solo Artist: Gwen Stefani

International Group: Scissor Sisters

International Album: Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters

International Breakthrough Act: Scissor Sisters

Outstanding Contribution to Music: Bob Geldof