Arctic Monkeys last night scooped two gongs at this years’ BRIT Awards ceremony.

They won the plaudits for Best British Group and Best British Album, beating other shortlisted nominees including rockers Muse, Kasabian and Razorlight.

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Arctics, whose debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” only came out last year, have had a phenomenally successful 12 months, including winning the Mercury Music Prize in 2006 for the LP.

Alex Turner and co could not attend the ceremony at Earls Court, citing rehearsal commitments as the reason, and instead sent in a selection of wacky video acceptence speeches.

For the Best Bristish Group win, the band dressed up as characters from the Wizard Of Oz. Alex Turner, as The Scarecrow, said: “Thank you for this award, it’s a great honour considering the competition.”

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The second win of the night was greeted with The Arctic Monkeys saying thank you dressed as members of The Village People.

Drummer Matthew Helders, dressed as The Indian Chief, apologised for the the band’s absence. He said: “Sorry we can’t be there, we hope you have a wonderful time, as you can see we are. We’re rehearsing for the year ahead, that’s why we couldn’t make it.”

Other big winners of the night include Las Vegas’ The Killers. The band fronted by Brandon Flowers picked up Best International Group and Best International Album for “Sam’s Town.”

Flowers was pleased with the win, saying, “This is something else. Thank you for making this dream possible.”

As expected, Take That ‘s extensive fanbase ensured that they won the first-ever live vote at the ceremony. They won the Best British Single category for “Patience,” and performed the song to a raptuous audience. It has been ten years since Take That last won a BRIT award.

Last night’s winners in full:

British Male Solo Artist: James Morrison

British Female Solo Artist: Amy Winehouse

British Album: Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m

Not

British Group: Arctic Monkeys

British Breakthrough Act: The Fratellis

International Breakthrough Act: Orson

British Live Act: Muse

British Single: Take That – Patience

International Male Solo Artist: Justin Timberlake

International Female Solo Artist: Nelly Furtado

International Group: The Killers

International Album: The Killers – Sam’s Town

Outstanding Contribution To Music: Oasis