Estelle defends Leona Lewis after she is booed at Mobo awards

Leona Lewis, the singer who came to fame on ITV's the X-Factor, received a round of boos last night from the audience at the annual Mobo awards, held at the Wembley Arena. Despite winning the best album for Spirit and best video for Bleeding Love, she made the critical error of not turning up to collect the gong.

However, Estelle (pictured), who picked up best UK female artist and best song, for her hit American Boy, was at hand to defend her. She said: "You know what, they do that every year for everyone when people don't turn up. But I don't think that takes away from the fact that she's a great artist and she deserved the awards she got."

Other British successes included UK Rapper Dizzee Rascal, who was named best UK male artist. Another Brit, Tim Westwood, won the best club DJ award. The American singer Chris Brown took the best international act and Lil' Wayne was named best hip-hop act. However, the award sheet broke the tradition of British R&B stars playing second fiddle to their US counterparts. Soul II Soul singer Jazzie B said: "We've finished with America now. It's very important in terms of where it all started and how it all evolved, but here we are now cutting our own grooves."