Lily Allen Wins Big at Ivor Novello Awards

Despite claiming to be ready to retire, an emotional Lily Allen was the big winner at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards in London on Thursday, May 20, when she scooped an impressive three awards.

Her single, 'The Fear,' picked up the prizes in Best Song Musically and Lyrically and PRS Most Performed Work categories, while Lily and her songwriting partner Greg Kurstin were honoured as Songwriters of the Year.

Other winners included Bat for Lashes' Natasha Khan, whose 'Daniel' won the Best Contemporary Song award, while former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr received the Ivors Inspiration Award.

Also honoured were Paul Weller, who was handed the Lifetime Achievement award, and producer Trevor Horn, who took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

What makes the Ivor Novello awards so special is that all categories are voted for by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in recognition of songwriting talent. Now in their 55th year, the awards are named after songwriter Ivor Novello, the man behind such classics as 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' and 'Someday My Heart Will Awake.'

The full list of winners is:

Best Song Musically and Lyrically
'The Fear' -- Lily Allen

Album Award
'Sunny Side Up' -- Paolo Nutini

Best Contemporary Song
'Daniel' -- Bat for Lashes

PRS Most Performed Work
'The Fear' -- Lily Allen

International Achievement
Imogen Heap

Ivors Inspiration Award
Johnny Marr

Ivors Classical Music Award
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

Outstanding Contribution to British Music
Trevor Horn

Lifetime Achievement
Paul Weller

The Academy Fellowship
Sir Tim Rice

Special International Award
Neil Sedaka

Songwriters of the Year
Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin

Best Television Soundtrack
'Desperate Romantics'

Best Original Film Score
'Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs'

Best Original Video Game Score
Killzone 2