Rock legend David Bowie has been named best British male at the Brit Awards in London, although he was not there in person to collect his award.

Arctic Monkeys won both best group and best album for the third time - the first act to achieve that milestone.

Ellie Goulding won best British female, while pop act One Direction were honoured for their global success for the second year running.

The boyband also won best British video, in a public vote.

Their win, for the track Best Song Ever, was helped by their 17.8 million-strong Twitter followers.

Bowie's prize came at the expense of four much younger hopefuls Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, John Newman and Mercury Prize winner James Blake.

At 67, he is the oldest recipient of a Brit Award in the ceremony's history and the award comes 18 years since his last Brits success.

Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding expressed her shock at winning best British female

The singer, who released his The Next Day album after a 10-year hiatus, previously won best British male in 1984.

But the star, who spends much of his time in New York, did not attend the gala.

Noel Gallagher, announcing the award, remarked: "You maniacs didn't think he'd actually be here. David Bowie's too cool for that."

Model Kate Moss accepted the prize on Bowie's behalf, and read a prepared speech from the rock star.

Bowie said it was "a great way to end the day" and then urged Scottish voters to reject independence in September's referendum

"I'm completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male - but I am, aren't I Kate? Yes. I think it's a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much and Scotland stay with us," were his words - as delivered by Moss.

His comeback album was also in the running for an award, but he lost out to Arctic Monkey's AM.

The ceremony at the O2 Arena also featured a host of performances, including from Beyonce and Katy Perry, who put on a colourful, Egyptian-themed show.

But Perry lost out to New Zealander Lorde in the race for best international female.

Bruno Mars also gave a live performance, just shortly after picking up the prize for best international male.

The ceremony was wound up with a medley by Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, who played Daft Punk's Get Lucky, Chic's Good Times and Williams' current feelgood chart hit, Happy.

Goulding lifted the first prize of the night and said she was "genuinely in shock" and "shaking".

"This means so much to me, I can't even tell you," added the musician.

Her award, presented by singer Prince, comes four years after she was named the Critics' Choice, a prize won this year by Sam Smith.