Ellie Goulding, Katy Perry and Rita Ora lead fashion pack at The BRIT Awards 2017 as prizes go to Little Mix, One Direction, Emeli Sande and David Bowie
ELLIE Goulding, Little Mix, Katy Perry and Rita Ora were among the stars who flocked to east London tonight to attend The BRIT Awards 2017.
The pop group opened the show with a performance of their track Shout Out To My Ex, before Emeli Sande won the night's first prize.
After Little Mix kicked off the BRITs with a sexy performance of their hit song, hosts Emma Willis and Dermot O'Leary paid tribute to singer Michael Buble who had been due to front the event.
The Canadian crooner pulled out of the hosting gig after his young son was diagnosed with cancer.
Emeli went on to pick up the first award of the night as she won British Female Solo artist at the start of the show.
She took her sister Lucy up on stage with her as she collected the gong, and she thanked her family for their support.
Ellie Goulding, who lost out on the Best Female Solo Artist prize to Emeli, took her sister Jordan as her date for the ceremony.
She looked incredible in a plunging black gown, which featured a backless design and metallic straps.
The singer posed for pictures with her younger sibling on the red carpet.
Little Mix also wowed the crowds on the red carpet with sensational outfits.
The pop group scored nominations for Best British Group and Best British Single for Shout Out To My Ex - which won them their first ever BRIT.
They lost out on the group prize to The 1975, who took to the stage early on in the evening to pick up their trophy.
There was also a posthumous prize awarded to David Bowie, who won British Male Solo Artist a year after his death.
Katy Perry oozed glamour with a sparkly red carpet outfit
Katy Perry was among the performers at the show, treating the audience to a rendition of her new song Chained to the Rhythm.
During her set, a backing dancer made a painful error when he fell off stage, and she made a political statement during her spectacular set by poking fun at US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May.
She brought an enormous skeleton dressed as the controversial US politician on stage, and she mocked last month’s infamous hand-holding incident with the Prime Minister by giving her the same treatment.
Later in the show, there was a poignant tribute to the stars who died in 2016 - and a special moment of remembrance for late pop legend George Michael.
Chris Martin also sang a duet with George from beyond the grave as footage of the late star was played during the Coldplay frontman's tribute and their vocals were combined.
Ed Sheeran, who bumped into his pal James Arthur on the red carpet, was also among the performers at the show tonight.
He treated fans to a surprise collaboration with grime/hip-hop artist Stormzy, performing a medley including his latest hit Shape of You.
The Suffolk-born singer later revealed their collaboration remix will be released on Friday.
He tweeted: "Official @Stormzy1 remix drops on friday. What a buzz, his album gang signs and prayer comes out that day too X."
David Bowie was a surprise double winner during the show, with the late star landing posthumous honours for British Male Solo Artist and Album of the Year for his final record BlackStar.
Dexter actor Michael C Hall, who starred in Bowie’s musical Lazarus, accepted the Solo Artist award on his behalf and gave a poignant tribute to the rock legend, who died in January, 2016- just two days before Blackstar hit shops.
The TV star joked: "If David Bowie could be here tonight he probably wouldn’t be here tonight!”
He added: “Since he can’t be here tonight I’m here on his behalf, on behalf of his family to accept this testament to a man beholden to nothing but his own boundless imagination and daring...
"Whose ever expanding artistic vitality simultaneously soothes us and sears us, and astonishes us."
Bowie's movie director son Duncan Jones took to the stage to pick up the Album accolade for his dad, and he gave an emotional speech about losing his beloved father.
He was introduced by former Oasis star Noel Gallagher.
The Moon moviemaker said: "I lost my dad last year but also became a dad.
"I was spending a lot of time after getting over the shock trying to work out what I want my son to know about his granddad.
"And I think it would be the same thing most of my dad’s fans have taken over the years, that he’s always been there supporting people who think they’re a little bit weird or strange or different.
"He’s always been there for them, so this award is for all the kooks and all the people who make the kooks."
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The show also featured a surprise appearance from Liam Payne, who left his pregnant girlfriend Cheryl at home to attend the show to collect an award for One Direction.
He picked up the band's fan-voted Best British Music Video prize for History from and , and he said: “I mean this is amazing. Thank you so much!
"We cannot believe we are still winning these. Thank you very much.”
Actress Michelle Keegan came down from her home in Manchester to attend tonight's bash with her husband Mark Wright.
She wore a striking blue jumpsuit and coloured contact lenses which changed her eyes from their natural brown to a hue that matched her outfit.
Other stars who attended the glitzy 'do included Holly Willoughby and Ferne Cotton, who presented an award to Little Mix, Christine Bleakley and her partner Frank Lampard, Sara Cox, Stacey Solomon, Pixie Lott and Alesha Dixon.
Clean Bandit star Grace Chatto, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Tallia Storm, Biffy Clyro and Ronan Kemp were also there at London's O2 Arena.
Little Mix's Jade was left red-faced when her tie-up gown fell apart, and model Abbey Clancy also accidentally flashed her pants when her mini-dress rode up.
Charlotte Crosby also showed off her underwear in a see-through dress.
Abbey Clancy wore a monochrome number
Charlotte Crosby flashed her knickers in leopard print
A number of stars turned up late for the bash due to heavy traffic in London in the run-up to the show.
Holly Willoughby was among those who feared they might not make it in time, while Nicole Scherzinger jumped on the Tube in a bid to make it on time.
Rag 'n' Bone Man went home with a trophy for British Breakthrough Artist - and he sparked a fan frenzy online as viewers spotted him being congratulated by The Chase host Bradley Walsh.
The 56-year-old TV presenter was in attendance at the annual music event after releasing his own hugely successful solo album last year.
Viewers were baffled when they saw the pair embracing after Rag 'n' Bone Man's big win.
The BRIT Awards 2017 winners
Who won what?
- Best British Album – David Bowie – Blackstar
- Global Success Award: Adele
- Best International Male – Drake
- Best International Female – Beyonce
- Best Internatonal Group – A Tribe Called Quest
- Best British Video – One Direction – History
- Best British Female Solo Artist: Emeli Sandé
- Best British Male Solo Artist: David Bowie
- Best British Group: The 1975
- Best British Breakthrough Act: Rag N’ Bone Man
- Best Single: Little Mix – Shout Out To My Ex
- Icon Award: Robbie Williams