Welsh singer Duffy has scored a Brit Awards hat-trick, picking up three prizes including the coveted statue for best British album. The 24-year-old fought back tears as she accepted the award, saying it was the result of "five years' work".
Duffy was also named best British female and won the British breakthrough award at the ceremony in west London.
Irish rockers U2 opened the show with a performance of their new single, Get On Your Boots. A heavily made-up Bono told the crowd it was "good to be back". Hosts James Corden and Matt Horne then appeared, dressed in red skirts and thigh length boots, as backing dancers as co-host Kylie Minogue sang Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
Veteran singer Paul Weller, who beat Will Young, Ian Brown, James Morrison and The Streets to win best British male, was not at the ceremony.
US rockers Kings of Leon won two awards - best international group and best international album.
Dressed in suits, they collected the first from former Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia, joking that "it was not just for our good looks - it was for our music as well".
The best British live act, chosen by listeners of BBC Radio 2, went to heavy metal legends Iron Maiden. They were a no-show and thanked their fans in a video, standing in front of their huge skeleton mascot, Eddie.
Singer Bruce Dickinson said: "We couldn't keep this entire show on the road without our fans. They're the people that keep this band alive."
The Pet Shop Boys received an outstanding contribution award and closed the show with a medley of greatest hits including Go West, West End Girls and Always On My Mind.
They were joined on stage by US chart-topper Lady GaGa and The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers.
Flowers, who presented the award, told how he was one of the group's greatest fans and once chose Pet Shop Boys over The Smiths when he only had enough cash for one album.
Former Suede star Bernard Butler had already been named producer of the year for his work on records by Duffy and Black Kids. Meanwhile, Florence and the Machine received the Critics' Choice prize for new talent.
If you have any views or comments on the nominnes and who should win let us know.
Pet Shop Boys The UK?s recorded music association, The BPI, have unveiled the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding
Contribution to Music Award. Pioneering British Dance duo, Pet Shop Boys, were awarded with the revered trophy at the climax of the evening.
The BRITs have been celebrating all that is fantastic about UK music for over a quarter of a century.