Arctic Monkeys Named `Best Act in the World`

Special awards went to Kylie Minogue (Q Idol), Paul McCartney (Q Icon) and Factory Records founder Tony Wilson (Q Hero), who died in August.

Indie band Arctic Monkeys triumphed at the Q Awards on Monday, beating U2, Foo Fighters and The Killers to be named the best act in the world.

Dame Shirley Bassey presented the award to the Sheffield group, who covered one of her best known hits "Diamonds Are Forever", at this summer's Glastonbury Festival.

They missed out on two other awards, beaten to the best album prize by Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" and losing to Devon rockers Muse in the best live act category. Welsh band Manic Street Preachers won the best track award for "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough", while indie group Kaiser Chiefs picked up the best video award for "Ruby".

Newcomer Kate Nash won the best breakthrough artist prize at the central London ceremony.

There was a lifetime achievement award for Johnny Marr, ex-guitarist with The Smiths.

Special awards went to Kylie Minogue (Q Idol), Paul McCartney (Q Icon) and Factory Records founder Tony Wilson (Q Hero), who died in August.

Launched in 1990, many of the winners are chosen in a vote by readers of Q music magazine.

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