Pictures: Victoria Pendleton, Myleene Klass and Sir Anthony Hopkins at Classical Brits

Sarah Shaffi Wednesday, October 3, 2012
11:29 AM

They may not be as rock and roll as their popular music counterparts the Brits, but that didn’t stop the Classical Brits attracting a host of glamourous stars.

Victoria Pendleton. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Host Myleene Klass took to the red carpet in a black strapless gown with a full skirt and Christian Louboutin heels before changing into an orange-hued slinky number to host the show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Celebrities and musicians in attendance included Olympian Victoria Pendleton, who sported a little black dress, Cerys Matthews, wearing red trousers and a patterned shirt, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Andrea Bocelli and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The awards saw The Military Wives, made up of the wives and girlfriends of military personnel, win Single of the Year for their number one Wherever You Are. The choir also performed their Diamond Jubilee anthem Sing at the show, accompanied by the song’s composers Gary Barlow and Lord Lloyd Webber.

Choirmaster Gareth Malone said: “It was very humble beginnings. It is about these women finding a voice and tonight is a great celebration of that.”

Sir Anthony Hopkins. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire

Oscar winning actor Sir Anthony attended the awards alongside Dutch maestro Andre Rieu, who picked up the prize for album of the year for his interpretation of a waltz Sir Anthony wrote many years ago.

Rieu - known as the king of the waltz - dedicated the award to Sir Anthony and said: “He is the greatest actor we have now on this planet. Tony, thank you for this fantastic waltz and thank you for your friendship.”

Speaking backstage at the ceremony Sir Anthony, who studied music and drama, insisted the win was all down to Rieu and said: “I’m just here by happy accident.”

US composer John Williams was awarded the lifetime achievement honour for his work on the orchestral scores of well-known films including Jaws, Superman, the Harry Potter series and Star Wars.

Gareth Malone and the Military Wives with the Classic Brits single of the yea. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

His best composer prize recognised his work on War Horse and The Adventures Of Tintin during the past year.

Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor became the youngest ever male winner at the event at 20, taking the critics’ choice prize.

The event, officially called the Classic Brit Awards 2012 with MasterCard, will be shown on ITV1 on Sunday at 10.15pm.