Kasabian were named best act in the world. Take That, who were sneaked into the awards to avoid the red carpet, were led on stage by Gary Barlow to collect their award. Another newly reformed band - Suede - picked up the Q inspiration award.
On The Move? - Almost 400,000 has been spent in the search for a new home for Ireland's national theatre, the Abbey - but so far without success, reports Arts minister Mary Hanafin told the Irish parliament that she was the fifth minister to have responsibility for the project and was awaiting an expert group's report on whether the theatre could be rehoused in the General Post Office on Dublin's O'Connell Street. However, she warned that even if the report favoured such a move, there were some who felt it would be undesirable, given that the GPO, scene of the 1916 Rising that led to Irish independence, had a unique historic significance The main opposition party's spokesman on the arts, Jimmy Deenihan of Fine Gael, listed the various sites that had been examined and rejected, and said, "I appeal to the minister to make a decision, if nothing else, on whether the theatre should be relocated. The current speculation and uncertainty are not helping anyone." Non Shows - Lady Gaga has postponed her concerts in France until December, because of "logistical difficulties" caused by the ongoing strikes over pension reforms. A statement posted on her website said the dates were being moved because there "is no certainty that the trucks" would be able to get to the venue. Protesters are angry over plans to raise the retirement age to 62. Farewell - Reggae star Gregory Isaacs has died at the age of 59 at his London home following a long illness, his manager has confirmed. The Jamaican singer died on Monday morning surrounded by his family. His 1982 album Night Nurse, recorded at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong studio, reached number 32 in the UK. Singer Suggs, speaking at the Q Awards in London, paid tribute to Isaacs, who supported his band Madness in concert. "He was a great reggae artist and also one of the most sartorially elegant stars on the world stage," he said. (Jim Evans)
