Summary Sande capped her success by performing a medley of "Clown" and "Next to Me" to close the ceremony.
LONDON: (Reuters) - Scottish singer Emeli Sande won the coveted best album honor at the BRIT Awards for "Our Version of Events", confirming her status as favorite going into British pop's big night of the year.
The 25-year-old, who received a major boost by appearing at the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies last summer, also picked up the best British female artist on a night of few surprises in terms of winners and on-stage antics.
"I think I'm a very unlikely pop star," an emotional Sande told a packed O2 Arena in London on receiving the best album prize.
"This is an album I wrote because I didn't have the confidence to sing these things in person. This is a dream, really, so thank you for this year and thank you for this award. I'm so grateful."
Sande capped her success by performing a medley of "Clown" and "Next to Me" to close the ceremony.
The other multiple winner was singer-songwriter Ben Howard, who picked up two of the dotted statuettes designed by Damien Hirst, for British breakthrough act and British male solo.
Among the most popular triumphs was that of Frank Ocean, American R&B star who beat acts including Bruce Springsteen and Jack White to land the international male solo artist prize.
"Before this year I didn't get me any trophies in my life and I'm definitely a long way from working fast food in New Orleans," he told the audience, referring to his humble upbringing before breaking into the musical mainstream.
Devon rockers Muse got the annual awards ceremony off to a rousing start with "Supremacy", complete with fireworks and a full orchestra standing on balconies behind them.
Justin Timberlake wore a tuxedo to perform "Mirrors", continuing his pop comeback ahead of the March release of "The 20/20 Experience", his first album since 2006.
Taylor Swift donned a white, floating gown for "I Knew You Were Trouble" before an instant change into a figure-hugging black outfit complete with skimpy shorts and knee-length boots.
