Having been the bookie's favourite to win until the very last minute when a surge of betting for Paul Weller pushed them back into second place, The XX have won the 2010 Mercury Music Prize for their debut album XX (gallery of which can be seen here)
The London based band also beat off competition from Mumford & Sons, Biffy Clyro, Wild Beasts, I Am Kloot, Laura Marling, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dizzee Rascal, Foals, Kit Downes Trio and our own Villagers to bag the £20,000 prize.
The XX were handed the cheque by the awesome Jools Holland live on BBC 2 this evening. Though we're disappointed that Conor O'Brien missed out on the prize, XX is a great record that grows on you the more you listen to it.
Pre-recorded coverage of the event, which took place at London's Covent Garden's Hospital Club, continues on BBC2 from 11.20pm tonight, hosted by Lauren Laverne and featuring live performances from all twelve of the nominated acts.
Once again, a big congrats to The XX!
