A new category for Best British Dance Act made its debut and M People notched up the first of two consecutive wins while Take That came back and collected two awards. The duets continued with hosts Elton John, Ru Paul, Bon Jovi and Dina Carroll, and PJ Harvey and Bjork all offering up numbers while the Pet Shops Boys brought their own Welsh Male Voice choir with them.

Ireland’s Van Morrison collected the Outstanding Contribution award from former hostage John McCarthy and friend Jill Morrell in the year in which Jamiroquai received their three first nominations which were to be followed by nine more unsuccessful listings for a BRIT Award over the next five years.