Brits 2013: The Winners

Dave Grohl presented. Justin Timberlake performed to a positively baying room. Carey Mulligan put on a gorgeous show of support for her Best British Group-winning Mumford & Son. But tonight’s Brit Awards belonged to one man: Ben Howard.

The Devon-raised singer scooped both Best British Breakthrough and Best British Male before a star-studded crowd of musical peers including Taylor Swift, Alexa Chung, Rita Ora and Jessie J.

'I was quite stoked to come to the awards to be honest, so to get two of these is amazing,' the modest, Emporio Armani-clad musician said - before proving exactly why he deserved them with a haunting performance of Only Love.

Elsewhere, Justin Timberlake - deliciously introduced by host James Cordon as '95% beefcake with just a little bit of horse' - whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a performance of new single Mirrors from hotly-anticipated album Suit & Tie, the One Direction boys high-kicked their way through Comic Relief single One Way Or Another, and Taylor Swift stripped out of a virginal white gown down to a black corset and over-the-knee boots for a no-holds-barred rendition of Trouble.

Notably absent was nominee and ELLE cover star Rihanna - who turns 25 today, and is partying in Hawaii with Chris Brown tonight - and Adele, who collected her award for Skyfall as Best British Single by VT from LA, where she is preparing to perform at the Oscars on Sunday.

Holding the fort on the fashion front were Alexa Chung, who wore a Valentino playsuit, Taylor Swift in Elie Saab and Jessie J in a very bold plunge-front Versace gown.
See the full winners’ list below, and click here for ELLE’s red carpet highlights (Mr JT included. Obviously).

The Brit Awards 2013: Winners List

Best British Female Solo Artist
Emeli Sande

Best British Group
Mumford & Sons

Best British Breakthrough
Ben Howard

Best Male Solo Artist
Ben Howard

Critics' Choice
Tom Odell

Best International Female Solo Artist
Lana Del Rey

Best Live Act
Coldplay

Best International Group
The Black Keys

Best British Single with Capital FM
Adele, Skyfall

International Male Solo artist
Frank Ocean