The Darkness prove rock rules

THE DARKNESS proved that rock rules last night as they scooped three Brit awards.

The spandex-clad band were the night's big winners, taking home Best British Group and Best British Album for Permission To Land. They were also named Best British Rock Act, a category created especially for them.

It was an amazing treble for the Lowestoft group, who were virtually unknown this time last year.

Thanks to their million-selling album, they are now megastars and are credited with sparking Britain's rock revival. They rounded off last night's show with a typically OTT performance of I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

Frontman Justin Hawkins wore an outrageous feather-trimmed silver catsuit. At the climax of the song, he was lifted up in the air on a flashing neon column.

Accepting the first award, he said: "This is a real privilege, a tremendous honour and a great achievement.

"I have to say we probably are the best British group."

The other show-stopping performance of the night came courtesy of Beyonce Knowles.

The star looked sensational in a white Roberto Cavalli dress and €370,000 worth of diamonds. She appeared on stage in a puff of smoke to sing her hit Crazy In Love.

Dido won two awards Best British Female and Best British Single for White Flag.

The singer was not there to collect them, having cancelled all public engagements to concentrate on writing and rehearsing for her forthcoming tour.

Other double winners were Busted, who won Best Pop Act and Best British Breakthrough Artist, and Justin Timberlake, who took home Best International Male and Best International Album for Justified.