Arctic Monkeys: Mercury Prize winners

07 September 2006

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Arctic Monkeys scooped the prestigious Nationwide Mercury Prize last night (05.09.06). The Sheffield band beat a host of artists, including newcomers Hot Chip, Radiohead's Thom Yorke and the Guillemots, to win the coveted award - which honours the best British album of the year. On collecting the prize, Monkeys frontman Alex Turner said: "Thanks a lot. We won, because we made the best album and the judges agreed with us. Normally it doesn't go to a band that has sold so many records, to be blunt. "Our album is just full of good tunes. There are too many people trying to do many things." The band also received a cheque for £20,000 as part of the prize but the rockers are going to give the cash to charity. Alex added: "We are going to give this money to a good cause I promise." The lavish event was held at London's swanky Grosvenor House Hotel and hosted by British TV presenter and musician Jules Holland.

The 12 albums that made the shortlist were selected from over 200 LPs made by British artists.

2006 Nationwide Mercury Prize full list of nominees:

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Ballad Of The Broken Seas

Editors - The Back Room

Guillemots - Through The Windowpane

Richard Hawley - Coles Corner

Hot Chip - The Warning

Muse - Black Holes And Revelations

Zoe Rahman - Melting Pot

Lou Rhodes - Beloved One

Scritti Politti - White Bread, Black Beer