Beyonce booed for snubbing Mobo awards

Instead she was booed by the audience at the Royal Albert Hall - for not turning up.

The queen of R&B stayed away in an apparent attempt to avoid rivals who were performing, despite the fact that she is in town with rapper boyfriend Jay-Z.

• Video: Mobo Awards (Windows Media)

• Video: Mobo Awards (Real Player)

As it was, she scooped a hat trick of awards for best song, best video and best international female. But the noshow earned her boos when her name was called for the third time.

To add insult to injury, she had not even recorded an acceptance speech.

Organisers claimed Beyoncé, 25, had flown to France with her record label for the day and was unable to return in time but insiders said her non-appearance had more to do with the attendance of two rivals.

Former fellow Destiny's Child singer LeToya was there to perform, but the pair have barely spoken since LeToya quit the band to go solo in 1999.

And one source said of Barbadianborn reggae singer Rihanna, who opened the show: "Jay-Z signed Rihanna to his label and the rumour is they got a bit too close for Beyoncé's liking." Jay-Z, winner of best international male, also snubbed the ceremony.

They were not the only high-profile absentees in an event that lacked A-list glamour. The Black Eyed Peas, named best group, were not there to collect their award, along with best reggae act Sean Paul.

Homegrown acts Corinne Bailey Rae - best UK female and best UK newcomer - and Lemar, crowned best UK male, helped to make up the numbers at the ceremony hosted by comic Gina Yashere and rapper Coolio.

Akala, the 22-year-old younger brother of Brit sensation Ms Dynamite, showed he has every intention of following his sister into mainstream success after beating international heavyweights to be best hip-hop act.

Akala, real name Kingslee MacLean Daley, won in a category that included multi-million album sellers Busta Rhymes and Kanye West.

He said he owed much to his family, particularly his mother Heather and sister Ms Dynamite, real name Niomi. "Every time Ni wins an award I feel like I did - she's my best friend - and she's here tonight with my Mum and they are right behind me," he said.

"When I was a kid, if I ever said 'I can't', I'd get a smack from Mum. And that's something that should always be taught to children."

Akala, who set up his own label, Illa State Records, to release his debut album It's Not A Rumour, said he would not refuse a major record deal.

"There's been some murmurs but nobody's come right out and offered it to me yet," he said. "But I'd be an idiot not to. I've got to pay my bills."