Emeli Sande topped the BRIT Awards on Wednesday (February 20) picking up best British female solo artist and British album of the year. Ben Howard scooped best British male solo artist and breakthrough artist. Adele won best single for her James Bond theme "Skyfall" - but she was not at the event, instead choosing to rehearse for the Oscars in Los Angeles. Folk rock band Mumford and Sons were named best British group. The awards were handed out at the O2 arena in London.

Shia LaBeouf has pulled out of his forthcoming Broadway debut in Lyle Kessler's play Orphans. The actor was due to appear opposite Alec Baldwin and Tom Sturridge with previews beginning on 19 March. Producers have cited "creative differences" as the reason and LaBeouf has since posted emails suggesting he and "30 Rock" star Baldwin did not get on. Set in Philadelphia, the story depicts two orphaned brothers who kidnap a wealthy man, played by Baldwin.

Josh Brolin and Diane Lane have announced they are going their separate ways. A little more than eight years after they tied the knot, Lane, 48, and Brolin, 45, have split. A rep for the couple said the separation was amicable. The pair, who married in August 2004, split a couple of months ago. They have no children together.

Preparations for the 85th annual Academy Awards were underway with the construction of tents and bleachers. The first pieces of the famous red carpet were rolled out on Hollywood Boulevard. Approximately 600 man hours and 40 people lay the more than 40,000 square feet of the regal rug over a period of about 10 days.