Brit Awards 2015
Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith both walked away with two prizes at this year’s Brit Awards.
Ed scooped the night’s main award, album of the year, for his record X – which was the best-selling record of 2014 in the UK.
“I was really worried about this album,” he said, accepting his trophy from actor Russell Crowe, “it took a long time to make.”
He added it had been a “very, very good year for British music”.
Sheeran also won best British male, while Sam Smith took home best breakthrough artist and the global success award – for his album sales outside the UK.
Sam, who won four Grammys earlier this month, thanked his fans in an emotional speech.
“Since I was a little kid I dreamed of people all over the world singing my songs and although I’ve got a long way to go, this shows that I’m stepping in the right direction.”
Paloma Faith won best British female, which was her very first Brit award.
“This has been 13 years in the making,” she told the audience at London’s O2 Arena.
Paloma’s third album, A Perfect Contradiction, was the biggest-selling female record in the last year, shifting more than 725,000 copies.
American pop sensation Taylor Swift opened the show, playing her hit single Blank Space surrounded by dancers in white suits and bowler hats.
She went on to win best international female, her first award after eight years of releasing records in the UK.
The star dedicated her award to her close friend Ed Sheeran.
George Ezra, who came away with no awards on the night after being up for four prizes, performed his hit track Budapest in front of the packed crowd at London’s O2 Arena.
Pop star Madonna fell off the stage during her performance at the 2015 Brit Awards.
Madonna tumbled down a set of stairs and landed awkwardly, apparently after a dancer tried to remove a cape she was wearing at the start of her routine.
But she recovered and returned to continue her song, Living For Love.
The 56-year-old issued a statement later saying she was “fine” and that her cape had been “tied too tight”.
“Nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up,” she wrote on Instagram, referencing the lyrics to her song. “Thanks for your good wishes!”
A full list of winners at this year’s Brit Awards, held at London’s O2 Arena.
British male solo artist
Winner: Ed Sheeran
British female solo artist
Winner: Paloma Faith
British group
Winner: Royal Blood
British breakthrough act
Winner: Sam Smith
Critics’ Choice
Winner: James Bay
British single
Winner: Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
British album of the year
Winner: Ed Sheeran – X
British artist video of the year
Winner: One Direction – You and I
Global success award
Winner: Sam Smith
International male solo artist
Winner: Pharrell Williams
International female solo artist
Winner: Taylor Swift
International group
Winner: Foo Fighters
British producer of the year
Winner: Paul Epworth
source: bbc.co.uk
