Duffy steals the show at Brits

First spotted on Jools Holland's show in late 2007, it may have been surprising to hear her say: "I can't tell you what this means after five years". The naïve young singer with the old voice has been groomed by manager Jeanette Lee and co-writer Bernard Butler since 2004, only emerging from her chrysalis when she and her smoky soul were completely ready for the global stardom that has ensued. Her deserved success is an encouraging reminder of what can happen when people take a long-term approach to the fleeting world of pop.

As the singer of the biggest-selling debut album in the world last year, Duffy's dominance was predictable on a night that for once featured some surprises. Four-time nominees Coldplay, who outsold everyone on the planet in 2008, went home with nothing to put in their Sgt Pepper pockets.

Three years after getting the Outstanding Contribution award, usually a sign that it's all over for you, grandad, Paul Weller won British Male. It was lovely to see Elbow beating bigger boys Coldplay and Radiohead to British Group. Following their Mercury Prize victory, cult status is behind them at long last.

Iron Maiden and Girls Aloud both won their first ever Brits after epic careers. Six years in girl group terms is about equal to 34 years in heavy metal. The girls were the most delighted of all, still looking like a crazed hen do in search of a karaoke bar after so many quality hits.

Only Kings Of Leon came close to stealing Duffy's thunder with their two prizes, before she edged clear with the final award of the night. After five years' hard work, few could complain about her overnight