Brits: Ed Sheeran Takes Home Two Trophies

Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith have both won two prizes at the Brit Awards in what was dubbed the battle of the nice guys.

Sheeran was named the best British male solo artist in the first award of the night.

Accepting the prize from Rita Ora and Orlando Bloom, the Thinking Out Loud singer said: "That's a good way to start the night" and dedicated the win to one of his staff, Deirdre, who worked with him on his first Brits in 2011.

He also took home the last award of the night after his album X beat off competition from Smith, George Ezra, alt-J and Royal Blood.

Soul singer Smith, whose rise began when he was named the Critics Choice winner at the Brits last year, said his win for global success was proof he was "stepping in the right direction".

He also took home the prize for breakthrough act - an award he told Sky News before the ceremony that really mattered to him.

Smith's advice to this year's Critics Choice winner James Bay was "to get dumped" - referencing the heartbreak which helped him write his debut album which has gone platinum four times in the UK and sold one million copies in the US.

The show, which was hosted by Ant and Dec, was opened by Taylor Swift with a performance of her single Blank Space.

Swift went onto win best international female solo artist where she paid tribute to her "best friend" Sheeran and thanked him for taking her to British pubs.

"Honestly I know I wouldn't be up here if it wasn't for one of my best friends who took me to pubs and taught me to make a good cup of tea and taught me everything I know about the UK", she said.

Swift beat off competition from Beyonce, Sia, Lana del Rey and St Vincent for the prize.

Luckily, this time Kanye West did not feel the need to storm the stage in protest over the recipient.

But he did take to the stage to perform his new single All Day after being introduced by his wife Kim Kardashian.

Viewers at home missed out on much of the song though after it was heavily muted by ITV due to the language he was using.

Earlier Paloma Faith apologised for "gobbing off" as she gave a long acceptance speech for her first ever Brit award - for best British female solo artist.

Brighton duo Royal Blood beat the ever-popular One Direction to be named best group.

Guitarist Mike Kerr said: "This is a huge surprise for us. It's probably more of a surprise for everyone here because you may not know who we are."

But 1D did walk home with the best British video prize which was voted for by the public.

In a video message Pharrell Williams said it was an "honour" to be named the best international male solo artist.

And the Foo Fighters recorded a message to say "thank you" for their best international group prize.

Mark Ronson was there in person to collect the best British single award for his collaboration with Bruno Mars on Uptown Funk.

Here is a list of winners:

:: Best British Solo Male:

Ed Sheeran

:: British Solo Female:

Paloma Faith

:: British Group:

Royal Blood

:: British Breakthrough Act:

Sam Smith

:: British Single:

Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk

:: Mastercard British Album Of The Year:

Ed Sheeran - X

:: British Producer Of The Year:

Paul Epworth

:: British Artist Video Of The Year:

One Direction - You & I

:: International Solo Male:

Pharrell Williams

:: International Solo Female:

Taylor Swift

:: International Group:

Foo Fighters

:: Critics' Choice winner (already announced):

James Bay

:: Global Success award, for international sales:

Sam Smith