Brits get underway

Rock and pop royalty grace the red carpet

20 Feb 08 - The great and the good of the pop and rock world are descending on Earls Court this evening for the Brit Awards.

Beth Ditto resplendent in a bright red tutu, Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys complete in tweed and plus fours, were amongst the first to arrive.

Beth said she was hoping to meet Sir Paul: "It's amazing... that's something my Mom will actually be proud of me for. She is like: 'The Enemy what? OH Paul McCartney... ok!' That's my Mom." 

Arriving next to Kylie, were the highly excitable Klaxons, James and Simon.

The  boys are up for the live and breakthrough awards, and they shirk off the criticism that these awards are just a back-slapping industry love in:

"It's the pop world, and if you have no problems with being  a pop band, which we don't, then this is the place for you. 

"The awards we are up for are voted for by Radio 1 and Radio 2, so these are the awards voted for by the people not industry awards."

Klaxons are due to perform Rihanna's hit Umbrella with her later.

"She cracked a smile as soon as it started" - Mark Ronson

Ronson 'confident'

Mark Ronson was also amongst the earlier arrivals, his performance tonight of Valerie with Amy Winehouse is one of the most hyped, but he seems confident:

"We did it in soundcheck, it felt really good. It was great to be playing that song with her for the first time, after playing it with about 1700 people singing it, it just felt like having a mate on stage... she just cracked a smile as soon as it started."

Adele is one of the few artists who actually knows which award she is getting, she is the Critics Choice.

But when asked if she has prepared her acceptance speech, Adele admitted she hasn't got anything planned:  

"If I had to name everyone it would take like an hour, and speeches are so boring. So I don't wanna talk for ages and I am blatantly gonna miss someone who is crucial and important.

"I will just go thanks to everyone, see you at the bar!"

Ruth Barnes