Niall and co get the party started as One Direction scoops award at the Brits

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of One Direction pose with their Brits Global Success Award in the press room at the Brit Awards 2013 at the 02 Arena on February 20, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

Kirsty Blake Knox

NIALL Horan and his One Direction bandmates whipped the crowd into a frenzy last night during their triumphant Brits performance.

The boys performed their new Comic Relief single, One Way Or Another, in front of their legions of adoring fans.

It was a big night for the 1D boys – not only did they pick up the new gong for Global Success but their new video for the single was released at midnight.

The video shows the boys on their recent Comic relief trip to Africa and was an instant hit with fans.

"Best video ever – you guys are amazing," one fan exclaimed.

And Niall Horan couldn't contain his excitement after the show, tweeting "Yesss! We won a Brit award. Now off to McDonald's for a double cheeseburger."

The Irish ladies were also causing a stir on the red carpet.

Bray woman Laura Whitmore (27) – who was hosting the ITV backstage aftershow – shimmered in a silver metallic mini dress by Irish designer Zoe Jordan.

Laura was interviewing hopefuls and celebs on the red carpet – and was delighted to bump into Niall and 1D backstage, as well as feeling flushed after meeting Robbie Williams.

Partied

"I blushed so much meeting Robbie," she said. "And he told me he thinks I'm great on 'I'm a celeb'."

After the show Laura partied the night away.

Republic Of Telly star Jennifer Maguire was causing mayhem – but it was all for her RTE programme, which is expected to show the resulting footage next week.

The big winner of the night – apart from 1D, of course – was Scottish singer Emeli Sande, who picked up two of the most important gongs for Best Female artist and Best Album for Our Version of Events.

The 25-year-old remained modest as she accepted the awards. "Wow, I think I'm a very unlikely pop star," she said.

"You know, this is an album I wrote because I didn't have the confidence to say these things in person."

New mum Adele added yet another Brit award to her ever increasing award collection.

She picked up the prize for Best Single for the James Bond theme tune Skyfall.

Poking fun at organisers for cutting her speech short last year, the affable Londoner joked that she would keep her speech short and sweet.

hnews@herald.ie