Brit Awards 2014: Winners list in full

David Bowie reclaimed the Best Male Solo Artist award he won in 1984

Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, who picked up two awards at the Brit Awards 2014 (Getty Images)

Arctic Monkeys were the big winners at tonight's Brit Awards, taking two accolades for British Group and British Album of the Year.

Despite making their disdain for the awards overtly clear in the past, the Sheffield band opened the event at London's O2 Arena.

James Corden, presenting the live ITV show for the final time, was encouraged to go “off the leash” and whip up some spontaneous fun, which apparently involved kissing Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and calling people with double-barrelled surnames "horse-faced inbreds".

The combined US star wattage of Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and Bruno Mars was imported from the Grammys to add lustre to the live performances.

Most notably, David Bowie's win for British Male Solo Artist cemented his musical comeback.

Winners list in full

British Male Solo Artist - David Bowie

British Female Solo Artist - Ellie Goulding

British Group - Arctic Monkeys

British Breakthrough Act - Bastille

British Single - "Waiting All Night" by Rudimental ft. Ella Eyre

British Album Of The Year - AM by Arctic Monkeys

Best Video – One Direction

International Male Solo Artist - Bruno Mars

International Female Solo Artist - Lorde

International Group - Daft Punk

Global Success - One Direction

Critics' Choice - Sam Smith

British Producer Of The Year - Flood & Alan Moulder