Two Brits and a chainsaw

Close to the Edge: Noel Gallagher presents U2's prize

By BBC News Online's Darren Waters at Earl's Court

The Brit Awards 2001 were a tale of three men - Eminem, Robbie Williams and Craig David.

Robbie took the gongs, Eminem brought the controversy and Craig David earned the consolation.

The evening began with Robbie Williams taking centre stage for a performance of Rock DJ, and he was to return to the stage on three more occasions to pick up awards.

Brits fixture: Robbie Williams

As he danced in front of giant-sized amplifiers and Brit award statues it raised the question - do the Brits have an inferiority complex?

Because the Brit Awards will never be the Grammys.

Criticised as a back-slapping feast for the fat cats of the music industry, the organisers of the Brits in recent years have worked hard to provide enough spectacle to overcome the natural cynicism.

Oasis star Noel Gallagher summed up the awards during his introduction to U2 at the end of the night when he described the Brits as "lacking a sense of humour".

Geri Halliwell: No kiss with Robbie Williams

But a nip here and a tuck there, and the presence of some genuine superstars in Eminem and U2, and the proceedings take on a new shine.

Robbie looked unusually abashed as he took to the stage to pick up his awards - for best single, best male artist and best video - and avoided the almost traditional verbal fisticuffs with Oasis.

The only shock of the night where Robbie was concerned was when he didn't give ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell a much-anticipated kiss. The sound of tabloid journalists grinding their teeth filled the arena of Earls Court 2.

It was that kind of night - even presenters Ant and Dec made light of the evening's smooth proceedings when they asked anyone who was considering starting a fight to wait until there were cameras present.

Eminem saved the day, however.

Eminem's chainsaw massacre... again

He arrived on stage flanked by the kind of security detail usually afforded a head of state and treated the audience of music executives and a few hundred screaming fans to a sprinkling of obscenities, ensuring he lived down to his billing as the most controversial man in pop.

He drew a mere handful of gay rights protesters from Outrage! outside the ceremony, much to the annoyance of a reporter from The Sun who was hoping for something a little more confrontational.

Eminem embraced Sir Elton John for the second time in seven days and then promptly insulted Steely Dan who had the nerve to beat him to the Grammy for best album last week.

But the most shocking aspect of the rapper's appearance was the revelation that the most corrupting power in pop music appears to shave his armpit hair.

Outrage? Well, almost.

Consolations: Craig David

Brave face of the night went to Craig David. Southampton's finest export still turned up to perform Fill Me In, despite knowing he would be walking away empty handed.

There were no gongs but plenty of commiseration for the singer and from stars who know real talent when they see it.

Sir Elton John had a small dig at Robbie Williams' clutch of awards when he proclaimed Craig David the finest singer in England and U2 dedicated the first song of their set to the young star.

Their condolences are sure to be worth more than a mantlepiece full of Brit Awards.