"The Brits never let us Shine"

GARY BARLOW has had a pop at the Brit Academy for failing to acknowledge TAKE THAT for their success. And the slimmed-down songwriter has a fair point.

The manband star told me backstage that he was disappointed by their lack of awards recognition in categories voted for by the great and good who make up the Brits academy.

The Manc lads did well — walking away with two gongs voted for by the public, including the Bizarre-sponsored Best Single for Shine — beating off stiff competition in the process. But in the Best Group and Best Album categories they were snubbed — and not for the first time.

Gary, holding a wine glass containing Jack Daniel’s and Coke, said: “It’s amazing that when the public get to vote we always do well. It’s brilliant. “It gets to me that, whenever we have been nominated for other awards, we always get overlooked. It’s a disgrace. “I think we were in with a shout this year but it just goes to show we don’t fit the mould.”

I have to point out here — Gary wasn’t being ungrateful. He — and the rest of the lads, MARK OWEN, HOWARD DONALD and JASON ORANGE — were absolutely buzzing on the night. They are without doubt the most popular band in the country and thoroughly deserving of their Best Single award. Anyone who went to see them live left thoroughly entertained. I reckon they were a great shout for best band on Wednesday night.

ARCTIC MONKEYS had the good grace to turn up for a change, but didn’t seem to appreciate their awards for British Group and British Album. BEATLES legend PAUL McCARTNEY loves every gong he gets — they could learn a lesson from him on that front.

The Sheffield lads then had a moan and did a slow handclap when Take That went up for their award. It was great to see Take That backstage enjoying their night.

Mark put in a spectacular caner’s performance on the lash later — losing one of the Brit statuettes in the process at The Hempel hotel in West London. Tee-total Jason Orange even stayed on to the bitter end sinking Old Jamaica Light non-alcoholic cocktails. He told me: “We are exhausted and need a break for a while.”

I reckon Mark will need at least a week to recover from the hangover he had yesterday morning...