Roguish pop crooner Robbie Williams became the winningest artist in the Brit Awards' twenty-one-year history as he picked up three new trophies last night at London's Earls Court. This brings his career total to twelve.

Snapping up Best British Male, which was presented by good friend and ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, William's tame speech gave nods to his outlandish behavior at last year's show, when he publicly challenged Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher to a boxing match.

"I normally stand up here and say something stupid like, 'Wanna fight?' I always stand up here and do that 'cause I thought I never deserved it before. This is my fourth year here, and I'm just gonna stand here and say, 'Thanks very much,'" a stunned-looking Williams said, accepting the silver statue.

The artist opened the show with a rousing rendition of "Rock DJ," which included a Williams look-a-like perusing the crowd dressed in a skinless, muscle suit like the one from the video that was banned, re-shot, and, ironically, garnered Williams the Brit for Best British Video. The song won him a nod for Best British Single.

Other winners included indie darlings Coldplay , who picked up two awards, Best British Group and Best British Album for Parachutes. Eminem , who was met by a handful of protestors outside the show, took home Best International Male. Accepting his award, Eminem said, "Wow! And the winner is Steely Dan!" in reference to the act who beat him out last week for the top Grammy. "Who the fuck is Steely Dan?"

In other award news Madonna won Best International Female, and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, accepted the award for her in a pre-taped video. While Ritchie read a speech, Madonna was seen dressed in a bathrobe shining a portrait of the Queen Mother on the wall behind him. She later fixed Richtie a cup of tea and concluded the video announcing, "God bless the Queen," in a chirpy British accent.

The show went off with relative ease, with Huey, frontman for the Fun Lovin' Criminals, causing the most controversy by feigning marriage to his co-presenter, Australian popster Kylie Minogue, and cursing several times while making digs at youthful presenters Ant & Dec, referring to them as Tweedledum and Tweedledee before presenting U2 with a Brit for Best International Group.

The Irish superstars later earned the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, which only last year rather controversially was given to the Spice Girls. Before presenting the Dublin band with the honor, Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher took time out to make a punchy comment at a cherubic-faced boy band who won a Brit earlier, saying, "This award ceremony over the years is accused of not having a sense of humor. But when you see A1 winning Best British Newcomer you know someone is taking the piss somewhere."

Accepting their award after a short video tribute, frontman Bono gave a heartfelt speech thanking the Brits for allowing U2 to be the first Irish band to win the award. "Thank you very much for your patience," he said. "We've been in a few hard places over the years." He then dedicated the band's show-closing set of "One," "Beautiful Day," "Until the End of the World" and "Mysterious Ways," to nineteen-year-old R&B singer Craig David, who, despite having garnered the most nominations, failed to win a single Brit.

Elton John, who presented Eminem with his trophy, spoke with similar praises of David earlier in the evening, saying, "I don't want to be disrespectful to anyone who's won, but if there's a better singer in England than Craig David, then I'm Margaret Thatcher."

The complete list of 2001 Brit Award winners:

Best British Male: Robbie Williams
Best British Female: Sonique
Best British Group: Coldplay
Best British Pop Act: Westlife
Best British Dance Act: Fatboy Slim
Best British Newcomer: A1
Best British Album: Parachutes by Coldplay
Best British Single: "Rock DJ," by Robbie Williams
Best International Male: Eminem
Best International Female: Madonna
Best International Group: U2
Best International Newcomer: Kelis
Best British Single: "Rock DJ," by Robbie Williams
Best Soundtrack: American Beauty

JOLIE LASH
(February 27, 2001)