LADY Gaga may have stolen the show with a hat-trick of statuettes at the Brit Awards but all eyes were on Cheryl Cole, who appeared without her wedding ring.
Cheryl, whose footballer husband Ashley is at the centre of lurid newspaper allegations, gave a slightly chaotic performance of her hit song Fight For This Love.
Cheryl, who was reportedly in tears before going on stage, received strong applause and said simply: “Thank you, thank you.”
After her performance, host Peter Kay quipped: “Fight For This Love, never a truer word spoken.”
Cheryl Cole has insisted that not wearing her wedding ring is a “fashion statement” and no reflection on her marriage
Eccentric singer Lady Gaga won all three trophies for which she was nominated – Best International Female Solo Artist, Best International Breakthrough Act and Best International Album.
The event saw British singer Lily Allen court controversy by landing on stage astride a replica bomb to the sound of air raid sirens.
Robbie Williams provided another highlight as he collected a gong for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
He sang to his statuette as he kicked off with a slow version of his recent single Bodies then hits including Let Me Entertain You, and Angels.
Rockers Kasabian were named best British group, and Florence And The Machine picked up best British album for Lungs.
It was also a successful night for JLS, who collected the award for British breakthrough act, then the statuette for best British single for Beat Again.