Arctic Monkeys scooped the prestigious Nationwide Mercury Prize last night (05.09.06).
The Sheffield band beat a host of other artists, including Radiohead's Thom Yorke, newcomers Hot Chip and the Guillemots to win the coveted award - which honours the best British album of the year.
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 too many things."
The band, who received a cheque for £20,000 as part of the prize, said they will give the cash to charity.
Alex revealed: "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 recorded by British artists during the last year.
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
Sway - This Is My Demo
Thom Yorke - The Eraser
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