Smash Hits 2004

British acts bounce back at 'Smash Hits' awards

By James Burleigh

22 November 2004

After a trouncing by the US at the MTV Europe awards in Rome last week, British pop and rock acts fought back, winning most of the prizes at the Smash Hits T4 awards yesterday.

The big winners were McFly, who landed five awards, including the star of the year, best UK band and best video for their song "That Girl".

After arriving on the music scene early this year, the four-piece - Danny Jones, Tom Fletcher, Harry Judd and Dougie Paynter - have rapidly taken over the crown from the previous kings of the teen pop rock royalty, Busted.

McFly's popularity could well be down to one thing, as indicated by the band's fifth award: their singer/guitarist Jones was voted most fanciable male.

Busted won the best single and favourite ringtone categories for "Thunderbirds". The band's guitarist Matt Jay won the top pop mop category, presumably for his hairstyle rather than any superlative floor-cleaning equipment he may possess.

Rachel Stevens, the former S Club 7 singer who has launched a solo career with hits including "Sweet Dreams (My LA Ex)", received little recognition for her vocal skills but was voted most fanciable female and won the best dressed category. Meanwhile, the honorary Brit Kylie Minogue, a bastion of the British pop scene for 16 years, was awarded the lifetime achievement award and was inducted into the Smash Hits Hall of Fame. At the grand old age of 36, the Australian singer became only the second member, joining Westlife, whose only win this year was in the download category for their single "Flying Without Wings".

American stars were not so popular with the young Smash Hits readers and T4 viewers. The American US trinity of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé Knowles received multiple nominations but failed to win a single award.

The r'n'b singer Usher, however, scooped two prizes including best solo artist.

Other winners included Natasha Bedingfield, who won the hot new talent prize, The Darkness with best rock act, Eminem the best hip hop award and Maroon 5 were voted the best international band.

© 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd