Feisty, outspoken and at times insecure, Lily Allen has carved out her own niche as one of Britain's most popular female singer-song writers.

Controversial: Lily Allen performed in a Gothic-style black corset

Her triumph at this year's Brits, winning best British female solo artist follows previous nominations.

But the 24-year-old continues to cause controversy, arriving on stage last night riding a replica bomb.

Gallery: Brit Awards performers 2010

Allen first burst on to the public stage in the summer of 2006 with the hugely catchy single Smile, securing her first number UK one.

The video, in which she was seen sporting a prom dress, trainers and gold hoop earrings while chronicling her relationship woes won her legions of young fans.

Makeover: Lily wore a ginger wig to accept her award as Best British Female solo artist

She was born in west London in May 1985, to actor and comedian Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen.

After attending a string of schools, Allen left formal education, reportedly knocking on record company doors to secure a deal.

Gallery: Brit Awards winners 2010

Producer Mark Ronson collaborated with Allen to produce her debut album Alright, Still, featuring the hit singles including Littlest Things, LDN and Alfie, named after her brother.

It went on to sell more than 2.5 million copies and enter the American billboard chart top 20.

Her strong music sales were matched by strong opinions, with 21-year-old Allen not being afraid to brand Madonna "the most over-rated person in pop history".

Gallery: Who wore what on Brits red carpet

However, despite her bravado she sometimes appeared prone to angst and self-doubt, posting an online message on her Myspace blog complaining of being "fat and ugly".

Some commentators hailed her a role model for girls because she is not a size zero.
Allen later claimed this had been brought on after Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole branded her a "chick with a d ."

Gallery: Stars party after Brit Awards

Entering into an ongoing spat with Cole, she replied: "Cheryl if you're reading this, I may not be as pretty as you but at least I write and sing my own songs without the aid of autotune."

Allen was forced to postpone her US tour and appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2007 due to a visa row.

She was granted her own TV show on BBC3 the same year - Lily Allen and Friends.

She revealed she decided to lose weight in 2007 after doctors discovered she had a heart murmur.

At the end of the same year, Allen announced she was pregnant with her first child with Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons.

She suffered a miscarriage, later describing it as "the worst time of my life".

Her second album, It's Not Me, It's You, recorded with American producer Greg Kurstin, was released in early 2009. Its first single, The Fear, scored her another UK number one.

In the summer of last year she was spotted watching cricket with her boyfriend, builder Sam Cooper, before embarking on a crusade against music piracy.

In October, she received the Best Track gong at the Q Awards for The Fear.

Speaking to Grazia magazine, she hinted at a life beyond music, stating: "It's not about being famous, it's not about all the parties, it's not about wanting to be the biggest pop star on the planet. It's about being happy. For me, that is Sam, spending time at home, sorting out bed linen ... being normal."

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