'Idol' Kylie honoured at Q Awards

The star showed off a new Marilyn Monroe-esque hair do and a figure-hugging black frock at the ceremony.

Her win was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd of celebrities at London's Grosvenor House hotel.

And she joked: "I would like to thank those of you who continue to support me - including my dress."

The 39-year-old singer is working on a new album after winning her battle with breast cancer.

This was her first appearance at an awards ceremony since returning to the limelight.

"It's my first day back at work like this so it's very exciting and slightly nerve-wracking," she admitted as she arrived.

Of her Q Idol award, she told the audience: "Just don't ask me what it means, but I'm very grateful and honoured to be receiving this."

The annual awards are handed out by Q Magazine.

The other big winner was Sir Paul McCartney, who was honoured with a Q Icon award.

The former Beatle received a huge cheer from the audience as he paid tribute to late wife Linda.

"I thank Linda for seeing me through some real tough periods," he said.

He also thanked his former Beatle band-mates and his "fantastic, beautiful" children. There was no mention of his estranged wife Heather Mills.

Jonathan Ross hosted the awards and threw in some typically risque jokes.

"The Spice Girls are reforming - in the same way they reform meat into nuggets," he said. "God bless them, they're going to be reforming under the name Atomic Mutton."

Ross also cracked a joke at the expense of troubled singer Amy Winehouse.

"I'm a bit annoyed with her because I had 3/1 at Ladbrokes on a double with Pavarotti," he quipped.

Winehouse won the best album award for Back to Black but failed to turn up to collect it.

Sir Paul, 64, took to the stage after a succession of young acts had given speeches littered with four-letter words.

"I've been doing this since I was just a little bairn and it's still the same for me now - still the same magic, still the same emotion, still the same thrill.

"It's so magic, this f***ing business," he said, before adding with a shrug: "I had to swear - everyone else has."

Dame Shirley Bassey was there to present the Best Act In The World Today title to Arctic Monkeys.

The Sheffield band famously covered Diamonds Are Forever at the Glastonbury Festival.

"I'm here today because they consider me the new rock chick," Dame Shirley told the audience.

Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner declared it "fantastic they've got Dame Shirl to come down for us".

The ceremony paid homage to the Manchester music scene with a trio of awards.

Ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr received the Lifetime Achievement honour while former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown picked up the Q Legend Award.

The most emotional moment of the day came when Peter Hook presented the Q Hero Award to Factory Records founder and music legend Anthony Wilson, who died from cancer in August aged 57.

Hook, of Joy Division and New Order, struggled to hold back the tears as he paid tribute to Wilson.

The award was accepted by Wilson's children, Oliver and Isobel, who told the audience: "We miss him and it's really nice to know that other people do too."

Other winners included Kaiser Chiefs (Best Video), Manic Street Preachers (Best Track), The Verve (Classic Album for Urban Hymns) and Kate Nash (Best Breakthrough Artist).

Q editor Paul Rees said: "This year, as ever, the Q Awards celebrate and herald great music of all genres and era - from the best in new music to rock's legendary elite.

"And, at a time when the digital revolution has prompted many to predict the demise of the music business itself, this year the awards also demonstrate that great music and outstanding artists will continue to flourish and inspire, no matter how or where people choose to listen to them."

Full List of Winners:

:: Best New Act - The Enemy
:: Best Track - Manic Street Preachers, Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
:: Breakthrough Artist - Kate Nash
:: Best Video - Kaiser Chiefs, Ruby
:: Q Classic Song - Stereophonics, Local Boy In The Photograph
:: Q Classic Album - The Verve, Urban Hymns
:: Q Innovation In Sound - Sigur Ros
:: Q Lifetime Achievement - Johnny Marr
:: Q Merit Award - Ryan Adams
:: Q Hero - Anthony H Wilson
:: Best Album - Amy Winehouse, Back To Black
:: Best Live Act - Muse
:: Q Legend - Ian Brown
:: Q Classic Songwriter - Billy Bragg
:: Q Inspiration Award - Damon Albarn
:: Best Act In The World Today - Arctic Monkeys
:: Q Idol - Kylie Minogue
:: Q Icon - Sir Paul McCartney