LONDON, UK (AP) - The lads won the Top Pop title at the ceremony in Manchester on Friday, which also saw Kylie Minogue,
Travis and
Fatboy Slim pick up awards.
Sir Paul McCartney had been due to perform his latest single Freedom, but he pulled out of the show following the death of fellow Beatle George Harrison.
A video montage of Harrison's work was played in his honour at the event and host Jamie Theakston read a statement from Sir Paul, the first person to be admitted to the Top of the Pops Hall of Fame.
 Sir Paul pulled out of the show
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In it Sir Paul said: "It was a great honour to receive this Top of the Pops Award, but because of the sad news I can't be there to receive it.
"I would like to dedicate this award with love to my brother George without whom it all would not have been possible."
Travis, who won Top Album for The Invisible Band, played George Harrison's hit Here Comes The Sun as a special tribute towards the end of the show.
'Fantastic'
Westlife, who arrived at the ceremony in dark suits and shirts, said they were delighted with their award.
Member Bryan McFadden said: "It is fantastic to win a Top of The Pops award and this being the first ever makes it even more special."
![Boy-band <a no style=]()
Westlife won the first Top of the Pops awards" vspace=0 border=1 width="300" height="180" src="https://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1685000/images/_1685612_westlife300.jpg" align="right">Their success at the event follows nine number one singles, including the latest hit Queen of My Heart.
Fellow Irish act U2 won the Top Rock award and Fatboy Slim was named Top Dance act.
Singer Nelly Furtado, who opened the show, held in front of a 12,000-strong audience, won Top Newcomer.
Kylie Minogue picked up two prizes, taking home Top Single for the number single Can't Get You Out Of My Head and Top Tour for On A Night Like This.
American artist Jennifer Lopez took the Artist on Top of the World award while Destiny's Child won the Top RnB title.
'Very sad'
Speaking after the death of George Harrison was announced on Friday, Top of the Pop's producer Chris Cowey said it would have been "churlish" for organisers not to pay their respects.
 Kylie Minogue won two awards
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"It's very sad, he was one quarter of The Beatles, the most popular band ever," Mr Cowey said.
"Sir Paul obviously thought that it was inappropriate for him to do the show, understandably.
"We've had a look at the running order and rejigged things a little bit. We'll be doing our own little tribute to George Harrison."
He said he was sure Harrison would rather his life and achievements were celebrated more than his death.
The Beatles starred on the first ever Top of the Pops, also broadcast from Manchester, in 1964.
The awards ceremony was the first such event staged by the BBC One show, and eight awards, voted for by music fans, will be presented.
