Winehouse returns to stage at Brits

Amy Winehouse made a comeback on Wednesday night, performing two numbers at the Brit Awards with her collaborator, the music producer Mark Ronson. Winehouse - who was denied the opportunity to appear at last week's Grammys, where she won five awards - looked nervous at first but eventually relaxed as she sang her hit single Valerie with Ronson, the first non-singer to win Best British Male Solo Artist.

Sheffield band the Arctic Monkeys won the two top awards - to the relief of those who had been concerned that pop acts like Take That and reality TV star Leona Lewis would edge "proper bands" out of Britain's biggest music awards. Wearing tweed jackets, plus fours and flat caps, the Yorkshire foursome were crowned best British group and took best British album for their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare.

The reformed boy band Take That won best British live act and best British single for Shine, as voted for by radio listeners and Sun readers. Australian popstress Kylie Minogue was named best international female, while the equivalent male award went to Kanye West. Best international act went to the Foo Fighters whose singer Dave Grohl mocked the award via video link: "Huey Lewis and the News, Bros, Lisa Loeb, MC Hammer and Kula Shaker... they have all won Brit awards and now we have reached their lofty heights."

But the star of the night was a much older pop star. Shrugging off his divorce problems with Heather Mills, the former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney - who won an award for his outstanding contribution to music - thrilled the packed Earl's Court with a set that included Live and Let Die and Hey Jude.