Coldplay flop at the Brits

Coldplay flopped at the Brits tonight, walking away empty handed despite being nominated for four awards.

Less than a month after they scooped three Grammys in the US, Chris Martin’s band were snubbed by the British music industry.

Singer-songwriter Duffy was the big winner on the night, taking three awards: best album, best British female solo artist and best breakthrough act.

The gongs cap a superb year for the smoky-voiced siren from north Wales.

Her record 'Rockferry' was the best-selling album of 2008 and shifted 4.5m copies around the world.

She beat Adele, Beth Rowley, Estelle and M.I.A. for the best female solo award.

Adele can take comfort in her recent Grammy success, where she picked up best new artist and best female pop vocal performance.

Tonight’s glitzy ceremony, which unlike previous years seemed to pass off without controversy, was hosted by Kylie Minogue and 'Gavin and Stacey' stars James Corden and Mathew Horne.

The event at London’s Earls Court was also a triumph for perennial indie underdogs Elbow.

After nearly two decades of performing together, the Bury outfit took the Brit for best group.

The 'Seldom Seen Kid', their first album after a long break from the studio, also won the Mercury Prize last year.

Girls Aloud, U2, Kings of Leon and Duffy were among the stars to perform on the night.

The Brits Academy, made up of 1,000 invited music industry insiders and critics, decided eight of the evening’s awards.

Former Style Council and Jam frontman Paul Weller took the award for best British male, beating Will Young, The Streets – aka Mike Skinner, James Morrison and former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown.

The award for Weller was far from unexpected – William Hill closed the book on him over the weekend after a deluge of bets.

Veteran rockers Iron Maiden took the best live act award, which was voted for by Radio 2 listeners.

The Pet Shop Boys took the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, while Florence & the Machine were named critics’ choice.

In the international categories, the Kings of Leon won best album and best group, while rapper Kanye West took best male.

Katy Perry was named best international female.