
Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran were the hot favourites at the 2015 BRIT Awards with five and four nominations to their names respectively.

And the singer-songwriters didn't disappoint on the night, taking home two gongs each on Wednesday during the glittering awards ceremony, which was held at the O2 Arena in London.

Ed, 24, was presented with British Male Solo Artist and British Album Of The Year, while the Global Success Award and British Breakthrough prizes went to 22-year-old Sam.

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Battle of the boys: Ed Sheeran (left) took home the British Male Solo Artist and British Album Of The Year awards, while Sam Smith (right) was given the Global Success Award and British Breakthrough at the BRIT Awards, held at London's O2 Arena on Wednesday

Ed took home the first gong of the night, the British Male Solo Artist prize, dedicating his first win of the night to the departing head of TV promotions at his record label, Atlantic Records, Deirdre Moran.

The Thinking Out Loud singer-songwriter was delighted with his win, which saw him beat Damon Albarn, George Ezra, Paolo Nutini and Sam to the crown.

The star was subsequently interviewed by presenting duo Ant and Dec and confessed: ‘I won’t be too annoyed if I don’t win the Best Video award but I’m happy to have won this one.'

Twice as nice: The guitar-playing superstar was pretty pleased with his double win

Gleeful: The 24-year-old musician was handed the first prize of the night by singer Rita Ora and actor Orlando Bloom

'I’m going to perform and then I’m going to drink, so don’t film me later!', he joked with a cheeky chuckle.

He also spoke about his popular collaboration with Pharrell Williams, Sing, claiming he approached the superstar about working together at an awards ceremony.

Ed later took to the stage to sing a track off his album X called Bloodstream, but had to wait until the end of the night to receive his second trophy.

Big win: Ed Sheeran scored the coveted British Male Solo Artist prize, which he dedicated to the departing head of TV promotions at his record label, Atlantic Records, Deirdre Moran

Dynamic duo: The nation's favourite double act Ant and Dec were on presenting duties, quizzing Ed about his hopes for the night

Delighted: The cheekie chappy revealed the British Male Solo Artist prize was the one he was most excited about

Russell Crowe presented him British Album Of The Year for X, which was the biggest-selling album of 2014, shifting 1.9 million copies in the UK and 5.8 million worldwide.

'I was really worried about this album. It took a long time to make it and be happy with it. It's been a very good year for British music. It's not the statue that gives us credit, it's the sales and the tickets,' Ed confessed during his acceptance speech.

The lovable redhead interrupted Ant and Dec as they were introducing the final performer of the night, Madonna, joking: ‘I can probably flog this [statue], it’s Tracey Emin.’

Triumph: Ed also won British Album Of The Year for X, which was the biggest-selling album of 2014, selling 5.8 million copies worldwide

Star power: Ed was handed his second award by veteran Australian actor Russell Crowe

Meanwhile, hot favourite Sam - who led the nominations with five nods - was given the prestigious Global Success Award, his second ever BRIT after scooping the Critics' Choice Award in 2014.

Flash forward a year and the best-selling international artist was presented with his surprise prize by curvaceous reality star Kim Kardashian.

Sam addressed the cheering crowd, saying: ‘It has been my dream to have people all over the world of singing my songs. I know I’ve got a long way to go but this shows that I'm stepping in the right direction.'

No surprise: Sam Smith has gone from rising star to international superstar, taking home the surprise Global Success Award

Fancy seeing you here: Kim Kardashian was a surprise guest at the BRITs, where she presented Sam with his award

Hugging it out: The Stay With Me hit-maker was modest, declaring, 'This shows that I'm stepping in the right direction'

The vocal powerhouse - who has won famous fans including Rihanna and Mary J. Blige - was also given the British Breakthrough Act.

He was handed his Tracey Emin-designed gong by Fearne Cotton and Charli XCX, beating the likes of FKA Twigs and George Ezra.

The emotional singer said: 'This is incredible. I want to thank my team Capitol Records, my manager and Jimmy Napes and his very pregnant wife.'

Snap happy: Kim showed Ant and Dec what she's best at - taking the perfect selfie as she took to the stage

Crowd-pleaser: Kim asked the audience to give her husband Kanye West a standing ovation as he performed All Day

Second win: It comes as no surprise that Sam Smith was also given the British Breakthrough Act trophy

BRIT AWARDS 2015 - WINNERS British Male Solo Artist: Ed Sheeran (presented by Rita Ora and Orlando Bloom) British Group: Royal Blood (presented by Jimmy Page) International Female Solo Artist: Taylor Swift (presented by Lewis Hamilton and Ellie Goulding) British Female Solo Artist: Paloma Faith (presented by Mark Ronson) Global Success Award: Sam Smith (presented by Kim Kardashian) International Male Solo Artist: Pharrell Williams (presented by Cara Delevingne) British Single: Mark Ronson (presented by Lisa Snowden and Lionel Richie) International Group: Foo Fighters (presented by John Bishop) British Breakthrough: Sam Smith (presented by Fearne Cotton and Charli XCX) British Artist Video Of The Year: One Direction (presented by Karlie Kloss and Jimmy Carr) British Album Of The Year: Ed Sheeran for Multiply (presented by Russell Crowe) Advertisement

The star-studded event featured performances from the likes of Kanye West and Madonna, who ended the show with a bang - quite literally since she suffered a dramatic fall while belting out Living For Love.

The second act to collect their award on the night were rock duo Royal Blood, who scooped the coveted British Group prize.

The pair, who had three nominations in total, announced as they accepted their gong: 'Many of you won't even know who we are but we started this band two years ago just to have a laugh with friends but this means a lot.'

Show-stopper: Taylor Swift opened the show with a stellar rendition of her chart-topping single Blank Space

Taking to the stage: Ellie Goulding was joined by Lewis Hamilton to present Taylor with the International Female Solo Artist trophy

Lewis Hamilton and Ellie Goulding were at hand to present the International Female Solo Artist prize, which went to Taylor Swift.

Ellie, clad in an angelic white gown with floral embroidery, almost slipped on stage as she tripped over her dress.

The Formula One pro teased his co-presenter, laughing: 'What's up with the dress? Are you going to a wedding or something?'

Thanking her friends: Taylor Swift dedicated her award to her loyal British pals including Ed Sheeran

No surprise: Taylor scooped her first ever BRIT Award on Wednesday evening and received a congratulatory hug from Ellie

Well-deserved: Taylor's chart-topping album 1989 flew off the shelves and made her the highest-selling artist of last year

Taylor - who opened the show by performing her hit single Blank Space - was thrilled with her award and dedicated her win to her British BFFs.

She declared: ‘I have been coming to England and playing shows for eight years and this is my first BRIT and I’m so happy. So I want to thank my record label for sticking with me until I won this.

‘I wouldn’t be here without my British friend who took me to pubs and taught me how to make a good cup of tea. I just want to say I love you Ed Sheeran.

Jumping for joy: The 25-year-old superstar couldn't contain her glee as she celebrated her win

Thrilled: Taylor beat Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey, Sia and St Vincent to the crown and wasted no time in celebrating

'I also want to thank Cara (Delevingne) and Ellie and Sam (Smith) I’m very lucky to have them in my life. My British fans have also changed my life.’

Speaking backstage after accepting her award, Taylor excitedly declared: 'I'm way too excited about it I need to calm down. It's been the most amazing slow build love affair with England and the UK.

'Starting out playing King's College and getting ready eight years later... to play sold out Hyde Park is like, 'What?' So this first BRIT Award couldn't have come at a better time. It's amazing.'

Emotional: Paloma Faith couldn't hold back her tears as she collected her British Female Solo Artist statue, designed by Tracey Emin

Coming up roses: The vocal powerhouse opted for a black lace dress embroidered with massive red blooms

Paloma Faith was overcome with emotion as she collected the British Female Solo Artist gong from DJ Mark Ronson and embarked upon a long, rambling speech.

Having previously been nominated in the same category in both 2011 and 2013, the flame-haired songstress never expected to take home the prize.

‘I'm so moved, it's been a long time coming,' she sobbed. 'It’s taken me 14 years to stand up here and accept this award. It means so much to me.’

Third time's the charm: Paloma was previously nominated in the same category in both 2011 and 2013, but went home empty-handed

‘People have been doing short speeches but they don't like gobbing off as much as me, I've been arrested twice for fly postering my album posters but now I’ve got this.

‘It would take me an hour to thank everyone I want to thank. First and foremost, my incredible fans.’

‘I don't claim to be perfect and I make so many mistakes and I am a bumbling wreck and I might never be up here again but I want to dedicate this to all the underdogs and grafters.’

Celebrating in style: Paloma partied the night away with her backing dancers and orchestra

Making a splash: Paloma's stunning performance featured rain falling down around her

His hit single Uptown Funk has just reached the one million sales mark, so Mark Ronson was a shoo-in for the Best British Single award.

Lisa Snowdon and Lionel Richie presented the DJ with the coveted prize, which he dedicated to guest vocalist Bruno Mars, who unfortunately couldn't attend the ceremony.

Mark says: 'This is incredible, I think everybody else on this stage is used to looking at this many people when they perform but I'm not. So this is a bit weird.’

Don't believe me, just watch: Mark Ronson held his Best British Single award aloft, which he landed for Uptown Funk

Chart-topper: Uptown Funk was Mark's first UK number on and recently reached the one million sales mark

Next up, two prizes were handed out to artists who unfortunately weren't in attendance.

Chart-topping superstar Pharrell Williams was given International Male Solo Artist, while John Bishop presented Best International Group to veteran rockers the Foo Fighters.

The band revealed they'd be returning to the UK on tour very shortly via a video message from California.

1D joy: Simon Cowell accepted the British Artist Video Of The Year award on One Direction's behalf

Chuffed: The music mogul was delighted his X Factor protégés' fans had voted for their pop idols via social media

Unlikely double act Karlie Kloss and Jimmy Carr took to the stage to present the British Video Of The Year to One Direction for You and I.

The boys, who are currently in Japan on their world tour, scored their fifth ever BRIT award thank to their loyal fans, who voted for their idols using hashtags.

Music manager Simon Cowell accepted the award on their behalf. He joked: 'Sam you can't win everything tonight. The boys are in Japan tonight and they made up a speech but I wanted to say thank you to the boys for being just amazing.'