Lady Gaga’s hair is high point of lacklustre Brits

The New York singer Lady Gaga, seemingly doing an Elton John impersonation in a tall white wig, emerged as the star of the Brit Awards at Earls Court last night. She took all three of the prizes she was up for - as well as the sobriquet "New York's answer to Su Pollard" awarded by host Peter Kay.

By the time she got her third award - best international album for The Fame - she was in tears. "I was really excited to win the first two," she said. "This award means even more to me because I worked so hard on this album for so long."

There were two special awards to mark the 30th anniversary of the Brits. The Spice Girls won the award for best ever performance at the Brits - the 1997 one where the Union Jack miniskirt and black knickers were famously revealed - but only two of the band turned up to collect it, Mel B and Geri Halliwell.  This was an early sign that it was not going to be the starriest night in Brits history.

Oasis took the prize for best album of the past 30 years - (What's The Story) Morning Glory? - and Liam Gallagher, at his most churlish, thanked "the best fans in the fucking world" before flinging his mic into the crowd and then giving them the Brit too. Kay called him a "nobhead".

Other acts were apparently more excited to be there. Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine said: "It's been an amazing night. Everyone's been incredible. I've had the best time" - suggesting that backstage was more fun than front.

Peter Kay had a reasonable night as host, after an iffy start. "Welcome to the Brit awards, 20 minutes of entertainment stretched over two hours," he began truthfully - and it fell flat as a pancake.

But he managed to keep his "answer to" gag running for most of the evening. Mel B was "Yorkshire's answer to Beyonce", Kasabian were "Leicester's answer to Aswad" and Robbie Williams, who finished off the event with a medley of Let Me Entertain You, Millennium and Angels, was "Stoke on Trent's answer to Shakin' Stevens".

It was harder to joke about Cheryl Cole, who went ahead with her performance of Fight For This Love on the day her husband Ashley Cole appeared in the tabloids for his supposed extramarital affair with an anonymous secretary. Cheryl chose not to wear her wedding ring, and made sure everyone knew it.

• THE WINNERS:

British male solo artist: Dizzee Rascal

British female solo artist: Lily Allen

British breakthrough act: JLS

British group: Kasabian

British Album: Kasabian for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

British single: JLS for Beat Again

International male solo artist: Jay-Z

International female solo artist: Lady Gaga

International breakthrough act: Lady Gaga

International album: Lady Gaga for The Fame

British producer: Paul Epworth

Critics' choice: Ellie Goulding

Outstanding contribution to music: Robbie Williams

Best Brits performance of its 30-year history: Spice Girls for Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are? (1997)

Best Brits album of 30 years: Oasis for (What's The Story) Morning Glory? ·