Brits 2014: Bowie becomes oldest ever winner

DAVID BOWIE became the oldest winner of a Brit Award last night, picking up the prize for Best British Male at the O2 Arena in London.

The 67-year-old's latest album, The Next Day, fought off competition from Jake Bugg, Tom Odell and Mercury Prize Winner James Blake.

Presenting the award to the absent star, Noel Gallagher asked the audience: "You maniacs didn't think David Bowie was actually going to be here? Bowie's too cool for that - he doesn't do this s***."

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Kate Moss, dressed in a Ziggy Stardust outfit, collected the statuette on Bowie's behalf - and delivered an unexpected political message from Bowie, calling for Scotland to "stay with us" and vote against independence in this year's referendum.

The evening's biggest winners were Arctic Monkeys, who won Best British Group and Best Album, prompting frontman Alex Turner to declare that "rock and roll will never die".

James Corden presented the show for fifth and final time and, according to the Independent, was encouraged by organisers to "whip up some spontaneous fun". That may have explained why he kissed Radio One breakfast show presenter Nick Grimshaw and described people with double-barrelled names as "horse-faced inbreds".

Nevertheless, the evening passed off without major incident. A performance by Pharrell Williams and Nile Rogers closed a show that John Aizlewood of The Evening Standard branded "neither snoozefest nor car crash".

Winners list in full

British Male Solo Artist - David Bowie British Female Solo Artist - Ellie Goulding British Group - Arctic Monkeys British Breakthrough Act - Bastille British Single - "Waiting All Night" by Rudimental ft. Ella Eyre British Album Of The Year - AM by Arctic Monkeys Best Video - One Direction International Male Solo Artist - Bruno Mars International Female Solo Artist - Lorde International Group - Daft Punk Global Success - One Direction Critics' Choice - Sam Smith British Producer Of The Year - Flood & Alan Moulder