A young violinist who won a £1 million contract when she was only 17 was crowned young British classical performer — but admitted she almost didn't show up at the ceremony.

Nicola Benedetti, the former BBC Young Musician of the Year, won the prize at the Classic Brit awards after collecting five nominations in previous years.

But she explained how she almost rejected the invitation to attend the Royal Albert Hall awards as it interrupted her usual preparations for a concert.

She was rehearsing in Manchester during the day for a concert in Nottingham and friends had to persuade her to turn up — not knowing she had won.

“Normally I would not do anything the night before,” she said after being presented with the prize, admitting she was glad she made the effort.

Benedetti, 21, who learned the violin when she was four, and studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School, was one of the youngest performers to sign a £1 million, six-album record deal with the world's most respected classical label, Deutsche Grammophon.

Andrew Lloyd-Webber was among the other winners last night and was presented with the award for outstanding achievement.

Accepting the honour, he paid tribute to his brother, Julian, an acclaimed cellist who, he said, really deserved the prize. “He has been a tireless fan and advocate of British music. Although I'm deeply honoured, he has done more for serious music in this country than anybody I know,” the 60-year-old theatre-owner said. Lord Lloyd Webber's former wife, Sarah Brightman, was among performers at the ceremony.

There was further good news for Lord Lloyd Webber today when it was announced that his Really Useful company was back in the black thanks to the success of The Sound Of Music and Spamalot in the West End. The man behind the BBC's Saturday night hit I'd Do Anything saw his company's operating profits more than double from £9 million to £22 million on sales up by 36 per cent to £163 million.

Blake, the former choirboys who formed on social networking site Facebook, scooped one of the biggest prizes last night when they were awarded Album of the Year.

Anna Netrebko, the Russian soprano, defied doctors' orders to sing despite being five months' pregnant. She was presented with the female artist of the year prize by Annie Lennox. James Newton Howard was honoured for his soundtrack to the film Blood Diamond.

The ceremony, sponsored by NS&I and , hosted by Myleene Klass, will be broadcast on ITV1 next Thursday.

THE WINNERS

Album of the Year — Blake
Female Artist of the Year — Anna Netrebko
Young British Classical Performer — Nicola Benedetti
Male Artist of the Year — Sir Colin Davis
Critics Choice — Steven Isserlis
Soundtrack of the Year — James Newton Howard (Blood Diamond)
Outstanding Achievement in Music — Lord Lloyd Webber