Oasis have been named Best Act in the World Today at the annual Q Awards, with Noel Gallagher picking up the Classic Songwriter prize.

As brother Liam failed to show up at the star-studded bash held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, Noel quipped: "He's gone to the zoo. The monkeys are bringing their kids to go and have a look at him."
He added: "I guess I really should thank our kid for singing all these great songs - but as he's not here, f* him."

Indie rockers Arctic Monkeys also picked up a number of gongs - the People's Choice award and Best Album for Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not - and in true rock 'n' roll style even had time to have a pop at another act.

Front man Alex Turner slagged off the organisers for giving 90s boyband Take That the Q Idol award.

He said: "A lot of people make jokes about having awards for no reason just for the sake of having awards, and pretending they were good when they weren't. I'm not old enough to know a lot of them but even I know that Take That were bo**."

On receiving the award, Take That star Jason Orange said: "We didn't expect to get back together after ten years, let alone be at the Q Awards so it's a pleasure to be here.

"We used to do the Smash Hits awards and all that so it's nice to be acknowledged by a credible magazine - not that Smash Hits wasn't credible..."

Other veteran acts picking up awards included A-ha, who got the Q Inspiration award; Jeff Lynne, who received the Q Icon award; and Peter Gabriel who won the Q Lifetime Achievement award.

Boy George, fresh from his recent community service stint sweeping streets in New York, won the Q Classic Song award for Karma Chameleon.

He told the audience: "I'm so glad to get this award because it means you now recognise me again as a singer and not a road sweeper."

Best New Act - Corinne Bailey Rae

Best Track - Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

Best Video - When You Were Young by The Killers

Q Inspiration Award - A-ha

Q Outstanding Contribution to Music - Smokey Robinson

Q Groundbreaker Award - Primal Scream

Q Icon Award - Jeff Lynne

Q Idol Award - Take That

Q Outstanding Performance - Faithless

Q Innovation in Sound - The Edge

Q Classic Songwriter - Noel Gallagher

Q Lifetime Achievement Award - Peter Gabriel

Q Merit Award - Manic Street Preachers

Q Classic Song - Karma Chameleon

Best Live Act - Muse

Best Album - Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not by Arctic Monkeys

People's Choice Award - Arctic Monkeys

Best Act In The World Today - Oasis

Q Legend Award - The Who

Q Award of Awards - U2