The Brit Awards take place tonight with Westlife and U2 representing Irish interest in the glitzy event. They are among the acts nominated for awards on the biggest night in the British music calendar.

Tony Christie’s (Is This The Way To) Amarillo was the biggest selling single of 2005 in Britain, according to end-of-year figures.

Bookmakers have made rock band Kaiser Chiefs favourites to win the 2005 Mercury Music Prize after the shortlist for this year's award were announced today.