BRIT Awards 2014: David Bowie named Best British Male

David Bowie has won Best British Male trophy at this year’s BRIT Awards in London, although he was not there in person to collect his award.

Arctic Monkeys won both Best Group and Best Album for the third time.

Ellie Goulding won Best British Female, while pop act One Direction were honored for their global success for the second year running.

Kate Moss collected David Bowie’s prize and read a speech on his behalf urging Scottish voters to reject independence.

“I’m completely delighted to have a BRIT for being the best male – but I am, aren’t I Kate? Yes. I think it’s a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much and Scotland stay with us,” were David Bowie’s words – as delivered by Kate Moss.

One Direction also won Best British Video, in a public vote.

Their win, for the track Best Song Ever, was helped by their 17.8 million-strong Twitter followers.

The ceremony at the O2 Arena also featured a host of performances, including from Beyonce and Katy Perry, who put on a colorful, Egyptian-themed show.

However, Katy Perry lost out to New Zealander Lorde in the race for Best International Female.

Bruno Mars also gave a live performance, just shortly after picking up the prize for Best International Male.

David Bowie’s prize came at the expense of four much younger hopefuls – Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, John Newman and Mercury Prize winner James Blake.

At 67, David Bowie is the oldest recipient of a BRIT Award in the ceremony’s history and the award comes 18 years since his last BRITs success.

David Bowie, who released his The Next Day album after a 10-year hiatus, previously won Best British Male in 1984.

However, David Bowie, who spends much of his time in New York, did not attend the gala.

Noel Gallagher, announcing the award, remarked: “You maniacs didn’t think he’d actually be here? David Bowie’s too cool for that.”

The ceremony was wound up with a medley by Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.

Ellie Goulding lifted the first prize of the night and said she was “genuinely in shock” and “shaking”.

Her award, presented by singer Prince, comes four years after she was named the Critics’ Choice, a prize won this year by Sam Smith.

Arctic Monkeys repeated their Best Group triumph of 2007 and 2008, and frontman Alex Turner joked that they had put money on rivals One Direction to win.

While One Direction scooped two prizes, they were denied a third by dance group Rudimental, who won Best British Single for the number one hit Waiting All Night.

From a clutch of three nominations, Bastille were named Best British Breakthrough Act, while French dance act Daft Punk took Best International Group.