Amy sweeps board at Grammys

Amy Winehouse wins big at the Grammy Awards

She may not have made it to the awards but Amy Winehouse cleaned up at the esteemed 50th annual Grammy Awards last night, taking five gongs.

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The troubled singer, who was denied a US visa to attend America's biggest music awards, won awards for song of the year and record of the year, both for hit single Rehab, as well as best new artist.

Winehouse turned the attention back to her talent (rather than her troubles) as she performed live at the show via satellite link-up.

The 24-year-old gave a heartfelt acceptance speech after wowing the audience with a rendition of You Know That I'm No Good and Rehab, giving thanks to her producer Mark Ronson (who won producer of the year), her mother and father, and her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who is currently behind bars awaiting trial. 'To my Blake, my Blake incarcerated,' she said.

The singer also dedicated the win to Camden in London 'because Camden Town is burning down', referring to the huge fire that broke out in the area this weekend.

Meanwhile, Kanye West - who led the field with eight nominations - scooped four Grammy awards and delivered an emotional performance of Hey Mama, paying tribute to his late mother and sporting the word 'Mama' shaved into the back of his forehead.

The rap star won best rap album, best rap song, best rap solo performance and best rap performance for a duo or group.

In an unusual move away from the world of pop, jazz legend Herbie Hancock took home best album of the year for River: The Joni Letter, a tribute to singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. It is only the second time a jazz album has won at the Grammys and in his acceptance speech Hancock said: 'I'd like to thank the academy for courageously breaking the mould this time.'

Another big performance came from the legendary Tina Turner who returned to the stage to perform a duet of Proud Mary with Beyoncé following Turner's solo performance of crowd pleaser What's Love Got To Do With It. Whilst Alicia Keys opened the show with a duet between her and footage of Frank Sinatra singing Learnin' The Blues.

Other big winners on the night included Justin Timberlake who won best male pop vocal performance for What Goes Around…Comes Around and best dance recording for LoveStoned/I Think She Knows.

Rihanna also picked up her first Grammy for best rap/sung collaboration with Jay-Z for hit single Umbrella. The star pulled Jay-Z onto the podium and said: 'Dad, I know I promised you I'm going to give you my first Grammy but we might have to fight for this one.'

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