Stars to gather later for Brit Awards

British and international music stars will gather later for the annual Brit Awards.

Lily Allen, Muse and Snow Patrol, and dance duo Gnarls Barkley are all nominated for three awards.

The reformed Take That are favourites with bookmaker Ladbrokes to win the best British single award, decided by a public vote during the event.

The ceremony, hosted by Russell Brand at Earls Court in London, will be broadcast live on TV for the first time since 1989. The programme, on ITV1, will be shown with a 30-second delay to enable producers to censor any offensive material. The broadcast will also be able to switch away from anything controversial to backstage interviews presented by Fearne Cotton.

Oasis are to be honoured with an outstanding contribution to music award at the ceremony, where they will also perform. Amy Winehouse, Corrine Bailey Rae, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters and Take That will be among the other acts giving performances.