BBC Music Awards 2015: Ed Sheeran and Pharrell win big prizes at first event

Pharrell took home two awards for Song of the Year and International Artist

Pharrell Williams won two BBC Music Awards for Best Song and International Artist (iTunes Festival)

Ed Sheeran has been crowned British Artist of the Year at the first ever BBC Music Awards in London.

The singer-songwriter, 23, beat competition from Sam Smith, David Bowie, Jungle, Elbow and Royal Blood to take home the accolade.

US producer Pharrell won Best International Artist of the Year, seeing off rivals Prince, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Lorde and Gregory Porter.

Song of the Year, presented by actor and DJ Idris Elba, also went to Pharrell for his hugely popular "Happy".

Elsewhere, Catfish and the Bottlemen were also winners after being presented with a BBC Introducing Award.

The star-studded ceremony featured energetic performances from the likes of Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, Clean Bandit, One Direction and Take That.

Ella Henderson teamed up with Labrinth to duet on “Jealous” and “Ghost” while Tom Jones and Paloma Faith surprised the crowd by joining forces for a rendition of “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys.

Hosted by Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton, the BBC Music Awards took place at Earls Court in front of a live audience of 13,500 people.