The Britpop legends picked up this year's Outstanding Contribution To Music award before kicking off their set - the longest show-closer in the history of the awards - with 'Girls & Boys'.

After moving on to an energetic 'Song 2', they were then joined by comic Phil Daniels for 'Parklife', played 'Tender' with a 32-piece gospel choir and closed their set with 'This Is A Low'.

"The last time we were here was 17 years ago and what happened on that night had a very profound effect on our lives," frontman Damon Albarn told the crowd after collecting their gong, before going on to thank a lengthy list of people from their label and management team. "Right that's it. Thanks very much for putting up with this."

Earlier today, the band announced they will headline a special Olympic closing ceremony gig at Hyde Park on August 12th.

Earlier in the evening, Adele proved the biggest winner, scooping the 'British Female Solo Artist' and 'Mastercard Album Of The Year' prizes, along with making her UK live return with a performance of 'Rolling In The Deep'. "I'm so proud to be British," she told the crowd after being presented with the latter award by George Michael. However, her acceptance speech was cut short by James Cordon in to allow Blur to kick-off their show-closing set.

Ed Sheeran also bagged a brace of awards, walking away with 'British Male Solo Artist' and 'British Breakthrough Act' and also performed his track 'Lego House'.

Lana Del Rey later made an emotional speech after accepting the 'International Breakthrough Act' gong. "This award means much more to me than you know, without the support of everyone in this room and everyone in the UK I'd be lost, so thank you," she said.

Elsewhere, One Direction won 'British Single' for 'What Makes You Beautiful', while Rihanna (International Female Solo Artist), Foo Fighters (International Band) and Emeli Sande (Critics' Choice Award) were also victorious.

Coldplay opened the show with a performance of 'Charlie Brown', before walking away with the 'British Group' gong, their seventh career BRIT. Their frontman Chris Martin later joined Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds as they performed 'AKA… What A Life'.

Other performers on the night included Florence + The Machine, who played 'No Light, No Light', Rihanna and Bruno Mars - recipient of the 'International Male Solo Artist' award.

Meanwhile, there were also video tributes to Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston.