14 FEBRUARY 2003
Thursday's irreverent NME Carling Awards were unpredictable as promised. Oasis singer Noel Gallagher put in a surprise appearance, Robbie Williams was panned and Coldplay's Chris Martin avoided discussing rumours of a split with Gwyneth Paltrow by joking he's seeing another A-list star.

"I'm going out with Julia Roberts," bantered the singer, as talk that he was suddenly single made the rounds. Chris, who would not confirm or deny the reports, garnered one prize that might help him as a singleton, that of Most Sexy Man. His band snagged a pair of gongs, for album of the year and best album.

Meanwhile, the unexpected visit by Oasis' Noel resulted in a performance of Wonderwall, backed by a female string section, helping top off the group's victory as best UK band.

Single-name outfits swept the boards, with the Hives winning best international band, the Vines scooping best single and Doves taking home NME single of the year. Pop star Robbie Williams, who recently signed an £80-million deal with EMI, didn't fare so well, receiving the worst album and worst single awards as well as the tongue-in-cheek Villain Of The Year.

Wildman Ozzy Osbourne had reason to celebrate, as his reality programme, The Osbournes, won best TV show, while the Black Sabbath front man himself won the impressive-sounding Hero Of The Year gong. It wasn't heroism, but prudent parenting, however that kept daughter Kelly from jetting in to perform at the London awards. "Sharon and Ozzy are concerned about their children's safety and they don't want them flying about while the world is on high alert," said the family's spokesperson.

Other winners of the night were best solo artist Ryan Adams, and teenage singer-songwriter Avril Lavinge, who was named Most Sexy Woman.