Gaga scores an awards hat trick

Flamboyant US superstar Lady Gaga has scooped three awards at Britain's top music awards the Brits, where she paid an emotional tribute to late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

At the 30th anniversary edition of the awards this week, the eccentric New Yorker was awarded all three prizes she was up for, including best international female solo artist and international breakthrough act.

Sporting a lace outfit with a huge white wig and mask at the London ceremony, she also picked up the award for best international album for The Fame.

Accepting her album award, the tearful star said: "I was really excited to win the first two awards. This award means even more to me because I worked so hard on this album for so long.

"My fans were the first people to believe in me. Thank you so much."

As she took the stage to play her song Telephone, she told the audience: "This is for Alexander McQueen."

The songstress was a huge fan of British designer McQueen, whose death on Thursday aged 40 after apparently committing suicide sent shock waves through the fashion world.

She recently donned his lobster claw shoes for her Bad Romance music video and often incorporated his pieces into her stage acts.

This year's Brits were marked by success for female artists. Singer Lily Allen was named best British female solo artist and Florence And the Machine – the stage name for singer Florence Welch – picked up best British album for Lungs. Male artists also received their share of awards. Jay-Z picked up best international male solo artist, while British singer Robbie Williams received a gong for his outstanding contribution to music. Williams, a former member of boy band Take That turned solo artist, celebrated his success with a live medley of his international hits including Let Me Entertain You and Angels.

Rockers Kasabian were named best British group after a year which has seen them chalk up their second number one album.

British rapper Dizzee Rascal was named best British male solo artist, and JLS scooped two awards for best breakthrough act and best British single for Beat Again.

There were also two special awards to mark 30 years of the Brits.

British rockers Oasis, who have recently split up, received the award for best Brits album of the past three decades for their record (What's The Story) Morning Glory. The Spice Girls were honoured for the best Brits performance of the past 30 years, for their rendition of Wannabe and Who Do You Think You Are? in 1997.

Cheryl Cole, whose Chelsea footballer husband Ashley is at the centre of lurid newspaper allegations, gave a slightly chaotic performance where the dancing did not always seem to match the sound, but received strong applause.

Despite getting off to a shaky start when the sound briefly disappeared, this year's Brits was largely free of the controversies that have plagued the awards in past years.

In 1996, Michael Jackson's performance of Earth Song was interrupted when Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker ran across the stage and waved his bottom in Jackson's direction.

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