The BRITs 2011

UK rapper wins big at this yearÂ’s awards...

09:54 16 February 2011

Rapper Tinie Tempah won big at this yearÂ’s BRIT awards, bagging the Best Single prize for his hit Pass Out and Best British Breakthrough Act.

Tempah was the most nominated artist of the night, with four nods.

The star, whose real name is Patrick Okogwu, thanked a higher power when he picked up his first award, saying: “I want to big up God and my family for sticking by me when times are hard.”

Take That beat the likes of Biffy Clyro and Gorillaz to bag Best British Group and the highly coveted Best Album award went to band Mumford and Sons.

Marcus Mumford accepted the band’s prize, saying: “This is very bizarre, very strange. Thank you very much indeed. We are very honoured, very humbled."

Plan B was named Best British Male, with Laura Marling beating hotly-tipped Cheryl Cole to win Best British Female.

Rihanna was presented with the Best International Female trophy and Cee-Lo Green received the male equivalent.

Ellie Goulding and Mark Ronson presented this yearÂ’s CriticÂ’s Choice award to Essex-born Jessie J, who is currently at number one with her single, Price Tag.

Jessie said backstage: “Pop stands for popular. I want to be a pop icon and take Britain across the world."

Adele, Plan B, Tempah and Rihanna were among the acts that performed at the event, with Cee-Lo Green and Paloma Faith closing the ceremony.

The BRITs were held at the O2 Arena in London and were presented by comedian James Corden.