Rude words from Prodigy at the music awards

Given a combination of The Prodigy, Chris Evans, the Spice Girls and Oasis, the Q Magazine music awards could hardly have been anything but a PR man's dream yesterday. They did not disappoint.

The mix and match of sensation and hype included Chris Evans trying to bury the hatchet with the head of Radio One after being told to f**k off by The Prodigy (left) for not playing their album on his radio show, veteran producer Phil Spector insulting the Spice Girls, and Liam Gallagher encouraging the public to go out and get arrested like his brother Liam did after the awards last year.

Eclipsed by it all was the fact that Radiohead won album of the year for OK Computer, The Prodigy won best live act, and The Verve were beaten to best new act by the Fun Lovin' Criminals.

Phil Spector, who won a special award for his long career in the music industry, said that in America right-wing Christian groups claim the Spice Girl's performances are like pornographic movies. But he added: "A porno movie has got better music."

- Paul McCann

Media Correspondent