Paul McCartney given Outstanding Contribution to Music Award

Paul McCartney put his divorce woes behind him this evening - as he took to the stage to accept his Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at this year's Brit Awards.

After he was presented with the gong by Kylie Minogue, the Beatles star, 65, kept his speech short, simply saying: "Thank you. British music is the best".

He then wowed the London audience with three exceptional performances - singing his smash hits 'Dance Tonight', 'Live and Let Die', & 'Hey Jude'.

Before being presented with the prestigious award - Macca - who's currently embroiled in a Bitter divroce battle with estranged wife Heather Mills, told a British radio station: "I don't know why they give me things — I wouldn’t give me any.

"It’s actually not a lifetime achievement. I try to avoid those because it feels like you’re going to die the next second.

"It’s great, it’s good to get any award, any time, any place, anywhere. Cinzano."

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The Brits Committee, said previously of Paul agreeing to accept the award: "This is a historic moment for the Brits. Sir Paul McCartney is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a member of Britain's biggest ever group. It is a special honor for me to be able to confirm such an influential and important artist to accept the Outstanding Contribution Award and perform at this year's Brits."

The full list of Brits winners (and nominees), are, as follows:

MasterCard British Album

WINNER:

Arctic Monkeys - Favorite Worst Nightmare

Also nominated:

Leona Lewis - Spirit
Mark Ronson - Version
Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion
Take That - Beautiful World

British Male Solo Artist

WINNER:

Mark Ronson

Also nominated:

Jamie T
Mika
Newton Faulkner
Richard Hawley

British Female Solo Artist

WINNER:

Kate Nash

Also nominated:

Leona Lewis
KT Tunstall
Bat For Lashes
PJ Harvey

Best British Group

WINNER:

Arctic Monkeys

Also nominated:

Editors
Girls Aloud
Kaiser Chiefs
Take That

British Single – Voted for by UK Commercial Radio station listeners and readers of The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column.

WINNER:

Take That - Shine

Also nominated:

The Hoosiers - Worried About Ray
James Blunt - 1973
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Kate Nash - Foundations
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Mark Ronson - Valerie Ft. Amy Winehouse
Mika - Grace Kelly
Sugababes - About You Now

British Breakthrough Act – Top five selected by The Academy. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners

WINNER:

Mika

Also nominated:

Bat For Lashes
Kate Nash
Klaxons
Leona Lewis

British Live Act – Top five selected by Live Music Forum and a specialist panel. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners

WINNER:

Take That

Also nominated:

Arctic Monkeys
Kaiser Chiefs
Klaxons
Muse

International Male Solo Artist

WINNER:

Kanye West

Also nominated:

Bruce Springsteen
Michael Buble
Rufus Wainwright
Timbaland

International Female Solo Artist

WINNER:

Kylie Minogue

Also nominated:

Alicia Keys
Bjork
Feist
Rihanna

International Group

WINNER:

Foo Fighters

Also nominated:

Arcade Fire
Eagles
Kings of Leon
The White Stripes

International Album

WINNER:

Foo Fighters - Echos Silence Patience and Grace

Also nominated:

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden
Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
Kylie Minogue - X

Critics' Choice – Voted for by a team of experts made up of music critics from national newspapers, major music magazines and music websites as well as heads of music at major radio and TV stations.

WINNER:

Adele

The Outstanding Contribution to Music Award – gift of the BPI Council

Sir Paul McCartney

By Owen Williams, Feb 20 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy