The ceremony took place on Friday March 3 at Earl's Court. The first time the awards have taken place on a Friday, and the first time they've taken place after the Grammys.

British Categories
Best British Group Travis	No huge surprise here, the academy has traditionally rewarded rising stars who have sold strongly over the year. Travis fits that bill well. Also nominated: Blur Gomez Stereophonics Texas
Best British Album: Travis 'The Man Who'	As ever, a re-run of the Group award. Also nominated: Basement Jaxx 'Remedy' The Chemical Brothers 'Surrender' Gomez 'Liquid Skin' Stereophonics 'Performance & Cocktails'
Best British Male Solo Artist: Tom Jones	The star of 35 years won his first Brit on the basis of his "Reload" collaberation with many of today's stars. Also nominated: David Bowie Ian Brown Sting Van Morrison
Best British Female Solo Artist: Beth Orton	In the only upset of the night, Beth Orton saw off the combined challenge of two ex-Spices and two R&B divas to claim the big prize for - by far - the smallest-selling nominee. Orton, also a winner at recent BBC folk awards, may yet make a career out of this lark. We do hope so. Also nominated: Beverley Knight Gabrielle Geri Halliwell Melanie C
Best British Dance Act: The Chemical Brothers	The act we tipped as a compromise vote comes through. While they've not sold as well as Jaxx or Slim, the Chemicals have carved out a strong career in the US, and that might just have worked in their favour. Also nominated: Basement Jaxx Fatboy Slim Jamiroquai Leftfield
Categories Voted By The Public
Best British Single: Robbie Williams 'She's The One'	Voted by listeners to Commercial Radio. Gosh. What an amazing shock. Robbie wins for the second year running, following the success of Angels last year. Also nominated: Basement Jaxx 'Red Alert' Supergrass 'Moving' Moloko 'Sing It Back' Blur 'Tender' Travis 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me' Fatboy Slim 'Praise You' Manic Street Preachers 'You Stole The Sun From My Heart' The Chemical Brothers 'Hey Boy Hey Girl' Shanks & Bigfoot 'Sweet Like Chocolate'
Best British Video Robbie Williams 'She's The One'	Voted by viewers of MTV:UK and VH1. Though his video is artistically weaker than all four other nominees, Williams comes through again to take the gong. Question: does the public voting devalue the award? There are arguments on both sides. Also nominated: Aphex Twin 'Windowlicker' Fatboy Slim 'Praise You' The Chemical Brothers 'Let Forever Be' Supergrass 'Pumping On Your Stereo'
Best British Newcomer: S Club 7	Voted by listeners to Radio 1 With voting taking place in two stages, the award came down to a last five. When that was announced, the race became a straight S Club versus the rest fight. The made-for-tv mob won. The last five: Ann Lee Martine McCutcheon S Club 7 Shanks & Bigfoot Honeyz
Best Pop Act Five 'Keep On Movin''	Voted by viewers of cd:uk A slight surprise to see FIve topping S Club and Steps, but not a huge upset. Also nominated: Geri Halliwell 'Mi Chico Latino' Ann Lee '2 Times' Martine McCutcheon 'Perfect Moment' S Club 7 'Bring It All Back' Steps 'Heartbreak/Tragedy'
International Categories
Best Group TLC	With the usual suspects not releasing albums, there's a strange cast to this year's nominees. TLC, the group that swept the Grammies ten days ago, bag another gong here, beating quite a strong field. Also nominated: Beastie Boys The Cardigans Mercury Rev Red Hot Chili Peppers
Best International Newcomer Macy Gray	Britney versus Macy, and - just for once - Macy won. Hurrah! Also nominated: Britney Spears Eminem Jennifer Lopez Semisonic
Best International Female Solo Artist Macy Gray	Again, Macy sweeps the board, besting a list of soul acts. Also nominated: Britney Spears Jennifer Lopez Mary J. Blige Whitney Houston
Best International Male Solo Artist Beck	One of the critically acclaimed acts wins over the huge sellers Martin and Smith. They turned up and performed on the night, Beck was blown off a balcony in Portugal. Also nominated: Eminem Moby Ricky Martin Will Smith
Best Soundtrack/Cast recording: Notting Hill	The British track wins. Again. Also nominated: Austin Powers Star Wars Fight Club The Matrix
Awards In the Gift of the Institute
The Steps Award for Biggest Selling and Most Popular Live Five-Piece Mixed Act Called Steps: Steps	Given that they were beaten for Best Newcomer in a very dubious result last year, and only got nominated in Best Pop Act this time round, the BPI gave Steps a sympathy award, ostensibly for selling out a 35 date arena tour. Other sympathy awards include: * 1993 - U2, for biggest live act * 1994 - Meat Loaf, for best selling single and album of the year. * 1998 - Spice Girls, for biggest international act
Outstanding Contribution Award Spice Girls	Rumours were that Paul McCartney could have had this award, only he's asked not to receive one till he retires. Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones plead the same defence, while Tom Jones was nominated in a geniune category. With Slade, Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode, George Michael, Boy George, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Tim Rice, Johnathan King, the NME and the All Saints all busy washing their hair (or wig), it fell to the four remaining Spice Girls to collect the award. Geri decided not to join the rest of the group to collect the award, in spite of sweet words from Mel C.

00-mar-05