So Amy Winehouse took being fashionably late to it's natural conclusion by not turning up at all - or at least until the awards had already been dished out at last night's Ivor Novello Awards.

Nominated three times for Love Is a Losing Game, You Know That I'm No Good, and Rehab, it was her dad Mitch who strolled onto the stage with an 'unpre-prepared' speech to hand to pick up his daughter's 'best song' award for Love Is A Losing Game

Mitch kicked of his her acceptance speech with 'I dunno what I'm doing up ere but Amy couldn't make it......' before telling the crowd Amy was 'getting better' and sends her love.

Mitch handled the crowd like a seasoned pro, bringing them up, taking them down and causing hoots of laughter in the process by suggesting Ray Grange, (Amy's manager) should be awarded a Victoria Cross for putting up with her. In fact Mitch was as magical up there working the crowd as Bruce Forsythe during a Generation Game challenge.

By the time Amy did finally rock up (complete with a brooch in her hair with Blake's name on it) the audience had all but forgotten who she was. Super Mitch strikes again.

Other winners include :

Best Selling British Song Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful Liar
International Achievement - Phil Collins
Best Contemporary Song Cherry Ghost - People Help The People
Best Television Soundtrack Oliver
Album Award Radiohead - In Rainbows
The Ivors Inspiration Award Jazzy B
PRS Most Performed Work Take That - Shine
Outstanding Sound Collection - Gabrielle
Best Original Film Score Atonement
Ivors Classical Music Award Jonathan Dove
PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook
Songwriter of the Year Mika
Special International Award Diane Warren
Lifetime Achievement David Gilmour

Watch Mitch Winehouse working the crowd.