Emeli Sande collects best British Female Artist prize at Brit Awards

Emeli Sande has collected the first Brit Award of the night as she received the best British Female Artist prize.

The Scottish singer was handed the accolade for the second time after previous success in 2013 when she also won the album of the year award.

She thanked her family and management for the prize as she was joined on stage by her sister, to whom she dedicated her success.

Girl group Little Mix, who are nominated for three awards including best British group, opened the show with a rendition of their chart-topping track Shout Out To My Ex.

Following the performance, hosts Emma Willis and Dermot O’Leary offered their thoughts to Canadian singer Michael Buble who was initially supposed to present the awards.

The Haven’t Met You Yet singer pulled out after he and his wife announced they were putting their “careers on hold” to look after their young son, Noah, as he battles cancer.

O’Leary said: “Truth be told, we’d really rather be down there watching Michael Buble host the show,” with Willis adding: “We so wish he could have been here this evening and everybody at the Brits sends all of their love and hopefully we will see him again next year.”