AGAINST THE BRITS; DUFFY'S LONG AND WINDING ROAD TO 'OVERNIGHT SUCCESS' STORY.

Byline: By Rick Fulton Showbiz Editor

IT promised so much.

Kylie, hot new comics James Corden and Mathew Horne, a raft of the world's biggest acts. This week, the Brits should have rivalled the Grammys or the MTV awards.

Instead, its only saving graces were some amazing musical performances.

For starters, what about the set? Why cows? Is Britain best for cows or was it because the UK is so good at creating mad cow disease?

Oh for controversy.

From John Prescott being soaked to Jarvis mooning on Michael Jackson's stage, the Brits always had a moment.

This year, it was when Alex James thought the Brit he was about to give out to Duffy for breakthrough act was his microphone.

And, speaking of winners, they were the problem. Either they were dull or didn't turn up. Triple winner Duffy is the supermarket music buyer's safe option to Amy Winehouse.

Best male winner Paul Weller didn't turn up and neither did Iron Maiden, who won best live group.

Elbow won for best group.

The other nominees were Coldplay, Girls Aloud, Radiohead and Take That.

Elbow? They aren't in the same league as the rest. It seems those running the Brits have decided they are the new band everyone likes (but no one listens to).

But all that would have been OK - with great live songs by Coldplay, Girls Aloud, Kings Of Leon and The Ting Tings with Estelle - if the hosts had been up to it.

Kylie, apart from the opening Can't Get You Out Of My Head skit with co-presenters James and Mathew, wasn't used for anything but saying what was next up.

James and Mathew play at being edgy but they are just cruise ship entertainers like eighties double act Little and L arge.