Emotional Lady Gaga sweeps Brit Awards

LONDON - Flamboyant chanteuse Lady Gaga has swept the Brit Awards, winning three categories and offering an emotional tribute to Alexander McQueen, the British fashion designer who died last week.

Gaga collected awards for best international female artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album for The Fame, and performed at the ceremony wearing a towering white wig and lace veil - complete with ornate lace eyebrows.

At points, the singer appeared overcome with emotion and paid tribute to McQueen as she collected her first prize - referring to the designer by the name Lee. "Thank you to Lee McQueen," Gaga said, her voice strained.

Gaga, a friend of McQueen, recently wore his iconic lobster-claw shoes in her Bad Romance music video. The designer was found dead on Thursday after apparently committing suicide.

The awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys, with most winners selected by a vote of more than 1,000 industry members.

US rapper Jay-Z also claimed an award, for best international male, during a ceremony at London Earl's Court arena. Other international nominees had included Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Jay-Z, Michael Buble and Shakira.

British boy band JLS claimed an award for best domestic breakthrough act, while recently split rockers Oasis won a one-off prize when their (What's The Story) Morning Glory? was named best British album of the last 30 years. Kasabian were named best British band.

Former Take That member and solo artist Robbie Williams received a special award for contribution to music.

Prince Harry addressed the ceremony in a recorded video message, giving the show - which has sometimes taken a raucous turn in the past - a royal stamp of approval.

Harry, third in line to the British crown, praised the awards as a celebration of "all that is totally wonderful and unique about British music."

BRIT Awards 2010 in Association with MasterCard full list of nominations:

British Male Solo Artist:
Calvin Harris
Dizzee Rascal
Mika
Paolo Nutini
Robbie Williams

British Female Solo Artist:
Bat For Lashes
Florence And The Machine
Leona Lewis
Lily Allen
Pixie Lott

British Breakthrough Act:
Florence And The Machine
Friendly Fires
JLS
La Roux
Pixie Lott

British Group:
Doves
Friendly Fires
JLS
Kasabian
Muse

Mastercard British Album:
Dizzee Rascal - Tongue 'N Cheek
Florence And The Machine - Lungs
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You
Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up

British Single:
Alesha Dixon - Breathe Slow
Alexandra Burke ft. Flo Rida - Bad Boys
Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love
Joe McElderry - The Climb
JLS - Beat Again
La Roux - In For The Kill
Lily Allen - The Fear
Pixie Lott - Mama Do
Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart
Tinchy Stryder ft. N-Dubz - Number 1

International Male Solo Artist:
Bruce Springsteen
Eminem
Jay-Z
Michael Buble
Seasick Steve

International Female Solo Artist:
Lady GaGa
Ladyhawke
Norah Jones
Rihanna
Shakira

International Breakthrough Act:
Animal Collective
Daniel Merriweather
Empire Of The Sun
Lady GaGa
Taylor Swift

International Album:
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On Dream
Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
Lady GaGa - The Fame

British Producer of the Year:
Jim Abbiss
Paul Epworth
Ethan Johns
Steve Lillywhite.

Critics' Choice Award:
Ellie Goulding
Outstanding Contribution to Music:
Robbie Williams

Brits Performance of 30th Year:
Bee Gees - 'Stayin' Alive' / How Deep Is Your Love (1997)
Bros - I Owe You Nothing (1989)
Coldplay - Clocks (2003)
Eurythmics and Stevie Wonder - 'Angel' (1999)
Girls Aloud - The Promise (2009)
Kanye West - Gold Digger (2006)
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (2002)
Michael Jackson - Earth Song (1996)
Paul McCartney - Live And Let Die (2008)
Pet Shop Boys - Go West (1994)
Robbie Williams and Tom Jones - Full Monty medley (1998)
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama (2005)
Spice Girls - Wannabe' / 'Who Do You Think You Are (1997)
The Who - Who Are You (1988)

Brits Album of 30 Years:
Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Dido - No Angel
Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
Duffy - Rockferry
Keane - Hopes and Fears
Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory
Phil Collins - No Jacket Required
Sade - Diamond Life
The Verve - Urban Hymns
Travis - The Man Who

- AP / BANG! SHOWBIZ