Liverpool style goes off to London for the Brit awards

Feb 21 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Alan Weston looks at the impact of Mersey performers and guests at the annual music industry celebrations

THE glitterati of Liverpool caused a fashion sensation last night when they turned out in force for the biggest event in the musical calendar.

Footballing WAGs joined soap and pop stars to parade for the cameras before the start of the 2008 Mastercard Brit Awards at Earls Court in London.

The icing on the cake was provided by former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, who performed a medley of hits after being honoured with an outstanding contribution award at the ceremony, hosted by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.

The prelude to the show was marked by the usual dazzling array of costumes as stars arrived for the big night.

It was definitely an evening for showing off legs as most of Liverpool’s WAGs, actresses and singers sported miniskirts.

Liverpool FC were well represented, with Peter Crouch’s girlfriend Abigail Clancy appearing in a tight black mini-dress, while the multi-coloured equivalent was worn by Alex Curran, wife of Steven Gerrard.

Gemma Atkinson, from Hollyoaks, continued the theme with a black beaded mini-dress. Joining her on the red carpet were Liz McClarnon, of Atomic Kitten, and Runcorn-born Nicola Roberts, along with her Girls Aloud band-mates.

The ceremony culminated in an Outstanding Contribution to Music Award being presented to Sir Paul.

Those expecting a reference to his well-publicised divorce battle were left disappointed, as the former Beatle – dressed in a dark suit – gave only the briefest of speeches.

“I’m hugely privileged to have been in The Quarrymen, The Beatles, Wings and the solo stuff,” he said. “I just think British music is the best.”

His 15-minute medley included Live And Let Die – the Bond theme he co-wrote in 1973 with his late wife Linda.

Beatles classics Hey Jude, Lady Madonna and Get Back completed the set, along with Dance Tonight – from his latest album Memory Almost Full – which earned him a standing ovation.

Prior to accepting the honour, the 65-year-old star insisted: “It’s actually not lifetime achievement. I try to avoid those because it feels like you’re going to die the next second.”

THE night’s other star performer was Amy Winehouse, who sang not once but twice.

Making her return to the British stage after a stint in rehab and fresh from her five-time Grammy success, she belted out Valerie and Love Is A Losing Game.

In the awards ceremony itself, Take That, the Arctic Monkeys and the Foo Fighters were the big winners, scooping two prizes each.

Take That won the trophies for best British live act and British single. The Arctic Monkeys took best British group and album – both for the second year in a row – while Foo Fighters won best international group and album.

The night threw up a few surprises, with Kate Nash beating Leona Lewis to the Best British Female title.

Producer Mark Ronson won Best British Male – the first non-singer ever to take the award.

Other winners included Mika (Best British Breakthrough Act) and Kanye West (Best International Male).

X Factor’s Leona Lewis was nominated in four categories but came away with nothing, despite having the biggest-selling UK single of 2007 with Bleeding Love.

Kylie Minogue won Best International Female and performed her single Wow.

Rock’s “royal couple” Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne hosted the Earls Court show live on ITV1 from their own on-stage “residence”, described as part Addams Family mansion and part Beckingham Palace.

alanweston@dailypost.co.uk