The Mercury judging panel prefer being obscure, that's for sure. Last night, they voted Speech Debelle, who's sold a total of 3,000 copies of her album since it's June release (a large portion of which were sold after her nomination was announced), the winner of the prestigious music prize. Speech is a 26-yar-old rapper with a Jamaican background. She was kicked out of home when she was 19 and spent the following four years living in hostels. Needless to say, her album treads some dark, heart-felt territory.

In other Mercury Music Prize News:

1 - Member of Glasvegas "Missing ": Apparently James Allan, who pens all their upbeat ditties, has been missing for the last five days. The band were due to perform last night but had to abandon plans when Allan failed to turn up. His band mate/cousin, Rab Allen, said last night: "He had been saying for ages that he needed a break. Everyone is panicking. We’re not supposed to talk about it. He has been working really, really hard. I miss him. The message is: 'Please get in touch'." Bassist Paul Donoghue then said: "I'm telling everyone here that he's got crabs."

2 - Tom Meighanof Kasabian Got Haircut: The lead singer (second from left), who's been resembling a lank-haired hippy since the band's inception, has been inspired by Brad Pitt's stirring good looks in Inglourious Basterds: "I saw the film and was like, 'That's a f**king cool haircut.' It took me five minutes to decide. I don't look like a German Shepherd any more". German Shepherd denotes something rugged and furry, whereas Meighan was more Doogle from the Magic Roundabout.

3 - Many Costume Changes Necessary: Florence had her usual array of fancyblack numbers. Bat For Lashes attempted to foil Lily Allen's every insistence to emulate her look by wrestling herself into some sinister spider's web, followed by one of Bjorn Ulvaeus's suits. Lisa Hannigan looked like a lady, as ever, while La Roux went for one of her usual understated numbers. She toned it down even further for her performance. Beth Ditto, meanwhile, leapt onto the whole "having red hair is so hot right now" bandwagon. And broke it.

4 - Pixie Geldof Turned Up. Hugged Florence Welch. Left.

5 - La Roux Smiled: *scurries under desk*