1 of 12 The Darkness stormed the Brits, taking three awards, but the night was not just about the glam-rock revivalists.
2 of 12 Beyonce Knowles, who won best international female, turned heads as she arrived.
3 of 12 Beyonce's stage show also created a stir.
4 of 12 No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joined Missy Elliot (behind) and Alicia Keys (out of view) to perform Prince's song Kiss.
5 of 12 Hip-hop star 50 Cent continued his rapid rise to fame, picking up the international breakthrough prize.
6 of 12 Dido won two awards - but had to thank the audience by video. She dropped out of the awards to concentrate on her tour and recording her new album.
7 of 12 Katie Melua and Jamie Cullum took Dido's place to perform their version of The Cure's Love Cats.
8 of 12 Muse came away empty-handed - but performed their track Hysteria.
9 of 12 Busted stole away with British breakthrough and pop act - and performed The Undertones' Teenage Kicks.
10 of 12 Soberly-dressed Justin Timberlake also picked up two awards. "Stick with me - we've got depression and drug addiction to go through," he joked.
11 of 12 Duran Duran took the applause when they won the outstanding achievement award.
12 of 12 But it was The Darkness who grabbed the headlines - after an amazing 12 months for the Suffolk band.