Westlife scoop Top Pop Act award

Westlife have walked off with the top prize at the first ever Top of the Pop's Awards.

The Irish boy band won the Top Pop act and were presented with the award by Samantha Mumba.

Other winners so far include U2, who have been named the Top Rock act, Kylie Minogue, who won an award for Top Single.

Fatboy Slim scooped the Top Dance gong. Travis won Top Album for The Invisible Band while Nelly Furtado won Top Newcomer.

Westlife's Bryan McFadden said: "It is fantastic to win a Top of The Pops award and this being the first ever makes it even more special."

Sir Paul McCartney, who was due to be honoured and play his latest single Freedom at the ceremony, pulled out after the death of George Harrison.

The three-hour show in the Manchester Evening News Arena, hosted by Radio 1 DJ Jamie Theakston, opened with a performance by Nelly Furtado.

It was also due to include numbers by J-Lo, Mariah Carey, Kylie and Westlife.

The 12,000-strong crowd will also be entertained by Travis, Wheatus, The Corrs, Atomic Kitten, Hear'Say, So Solid Crew, Wyclef Jean and Tom Jones.