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David Bowie was named Best British Male Solo Artist at tonight’s Brit Awards held at London’s O2 Arena. He got the nod ahead of Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, John Newman and Mercury Prize winner James Blake.

At 67, this makes Bowie the oldest ever winner of a Brit, moving ahead of Tom Jones who won the Outstanding Contribution award in 2003.

Bowie wasn’t in attendance so the award was picked up on his behalf by Kate Moss and Noel Gallagher – the latter joking: “You maniacs didn’t think David Bowie was actually going to be here, did you? He’s too cool for that.”

Kate Moss read out the following message from Bowie:

I’m completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male – but I am, aren’t I Kate? Yes. I think it’s a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much and Scotland stay with us.

The award recognises Bowie’s 2013 return to music with the release of “The Next Day” album, which was nominated for British Album of the Year but lost out to the Arctic Monkey’s “AM”. The Arctic Monkeys also won the Best British Group award.

Best Female Artist went to Ellie Goulding, who accepted the award from Prince. She also performed her hit “Burn”.

One Direction won Brits for both Best Video and Global Success. They missed out on Best British Single, which went to Rudimental (featuring Ella Eyre) for “Waiting All Night”.

Bastille were nominated in four categories and won the Best British Breakthrough Act. They performed their hit “Pompeii” and were also joined by Rudimental to perform a mash-up of their hit and Rudimental’s “Waiting All Night”.

Bruno Mars was named Best International Male Solo Artist and performed an energetic rendition of “Treasure”.

Best Female International Artist went to Lorde and Best International Group was won by Daft Punk. Lorde performed “Royals” with four-time nominee Disclosure, who were then joined by AlunaGeorge on “White Noise”.

Flood & Alan Moulder won the British Producer of the Year award for their work on Foals’ album “Holy Fire”.

There were also live performances from Beyonce, who sang “XO” from her 2013 album “Beyonce,” and from Katy Perry, who performed an Egyptian-themed “Dark Horse”.

Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers closed the show with a medley of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” Chic’s “Good Times” and Williams'”Happy”.

BRIT Award winners

• British Male Solo Artist – David Bowie
• British Female Solo Artist – Ellie Goulding
• British Group – Arctic Monkeys
• British Breakthrough Act – Bastille
• British Single – “Waiting All Night” by Rudimental ft. Ella Eyre
• British Album Of The Year – AM by Arctic Monkeys
• Best Video – One Direction
• Best International Male Solo Artist – Bruno Mars
• Best International Female Solo Artist – Lorde
• International Group – Daft Punk
• Global Success – One Direction
• Critics’ Choice – Sam Smith
• British Producer Of The Year – Flood & Alan Moulder.