[Shaun]

'Higher' by The Saturdays is the year's best British pop single.

We know this to be fact because last night we watched a room full of people shouting at each other for four hours until 'Higher' romped to victory. The glittering prize you see above - containing twenty quid cash - is on its way to The Saturdays.

Other favourites in the room were 'Rolling In The Deep', 'Beat Of My Drum' and 'The Flood'. 'Do It Like A Dude' went out early; 'Somebody To Love Me' and 'Finish Line' probably suffered for their subtlety. People screamed at the sight of a Lady Gaga lunchbox. We watched the Joe McElderry video in silence. Dance routines were pulled off with some panache. There was a lot of booze.

As ever, the prize for Worst British Pop Single was fiercely argued.



In the end Olly Murs' 'Thinking Of You' scooped the prize. In the interests of popequilibrium we will be sending an invoice for £20 to Olly, but of course the real focus now should be on the positive - the year's best British pop single. WHICH IS THIS.

Youtube video

Thanks to everyone who took the time to come along and judge the prize last night - it was a lot of fun.

I think it's supposed to be harmless fun RE: the Mercury Prize but still