Darkness Shines At U.K.'s Brit Awards

The Darkness confirmed their status as Britain's new favorite rock band at the Brit Awards today (Feb. 17) at London's Earls Court, taking three major trophies.

The band -- which led the nominations going into the awards, with four -- won for best British group, British rock act and British album for "Permission to Land" (Must Destroy/Warner).

However, the Darkness did not take the British breakthrough award -- that honor went to Busted, which was also named best pop act.

The other two-award winners were Dido and Justin Timberlake. Dido was named best British female solo artist and won British single for "White Flag" (Cheeky/BMG). Timberlake won international male solo artist and international album for "Justified" (Jive).

In a breakout of winners by label, BMG and Universal each took four honors, Warner took three and Sony and Beggars Group each won two. EMI, the only U.K.-based major, went home empty-handed.


Here are the winners:


MasterCard British album: Darkness: "Permission to Land" (Must Destroy/Warner Music)

British single: Dido "White Flag" (Cheeky/BMG)

International album: Justin Timberlake: "Justified" (Jive/Zomba)

British male solo artist: Daniel Bedingfield

British female solo artist: Dido

British group: Darkness

British rock act: Darkness

British urban act: Lemar

British dance act: Basement Jaxx

British breakthrough artist: Busted

Pop act: Busted

International male solo artist: Justin Timberlake

International female solo artist: Beyoncé

International group: White Stripes

International breakthrough artist: 50 Cent

Outstanding contribution to music: Duran Duran