The Music of Black Origin evening at the Royal Albert Hall was fronted by pregnant Spice Girl Mel B, showing off her growing bulge in a skimpy bodice topped off with an orange cloak.

She shared the stage with the expectant All Saint Mel Blatt, who turned up with fellow band member Shaznay Lewis to present one of the awards.

The All Saints also picked up an award of their own - they won Best Video for their version of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Under the Bridge.

Mel B was appearing without the rest of the Spice Girls as she hosted the show with US MTV presenter Bill Bellamy.

Scary stuff: Mel B makes her solo debut

Among the guests at the event, which honours music which is black in spirit rather than skin colour, were performers Michelle Gayle, Goldie, Eastender Martine McCutcheon and E-17 - the group formerly known as East 17.

Sportsmen also attended, including boxers Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank, who handed out signed pictures of himself to the crowds waiting outside.

Big name performers at the event included Pras Michel and Puff Daddy, both of whom were among the winners of the 23 titles handed out.

Others who triumphed included Another Level, whose Freak Me track was voted best single, and Stardust, who were voted best dance act.

Daniela Relph: "the Mobo Awards recognises a whole range of musical styles"

Later on in the evening Mel B proved that pregnancy was not going to stop her from performing as she took the stage for her first live appearance away from the Spice Girls.

Dressed in a black leather catsuit and wearing a cowboy hat, she ran through her hit single I Want You Back flanked by six similarly dressed dancers.

"This is for all the ladies here tonight," she shouted during a gap in the music.

The 1998 Mobo award winners in full: