Mel C and Tomlinson land music awards

SPICE Girl Melanie Chisholm and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson led the winners of the inaugural Northern Music Awards.

The event, which will be held in a different northern city each year, took place at the Albert Hall in Manchester to recognise and celebrate the established and rising musical talent across the north of England.

Guest presenters from the region included This Is England actor Thomas Turgoose and former Manchester United football star Gary Neville, as well as musicians Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris from British rock band New Order.

Chisholm, known as Mel C from the ’90s pop group the Spice Girls, received the special recognition award during the ceremony for her outstanding contribution to music – presented by broadcaster Helen Skelton.

The music star, who hails from near Liverpool, was unable to attend in person and said in her video acceptance speech: “I can’t remember the last time I got an award, especially on my own. I can’t quite believe it’s the first Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards.

Let’s face it, all the best music comes from the North, so why has it taken so long?

“I’m gutted I can’t be there. It’s great to be honoured by such a wonderful charity which does great work.”

It comes days after the Spice Girls reunited at Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday party.

While singer-songwriter and music producer Tomlinson, inset, who rose to fame as one fifth of British boy band One Direction, won artist of the year. He did not appear in person but said in a video message: “It means the world to win artist of the year, thank you. And thanks to Nordoff and Robbins for doing such an incredible thing.” The Doncaster-born music star also donated a signed Fender Duo Sonic guitar for a public prize draw, as he is currently learning how to play the guitar and said he “finds a lot of joy in it”. He added that “by donating a guitar it will encourage and help someone else begin to learn how to play”.

Funds raised from the ceremony will support the vision to open a new Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre in Salford, Greater Manchester.