Their packed concerts, impressive collection of gongs and trail of No.1 albums certainly hinted at it, but last night Coldplay were officially named the top-selling act of 2008 at the World Music Awards in Monaco.

The British band, fronted by Chris Martin, topped charts around the world when they released their fourth album, Viva La Vida, in June, and last night beat off rock royalty Metallica and REM as well as band de jour Kings of Leon to collect a second award - World’s Best Rock Act.

The four-piece, who weren't at the ceremony, were in good company, with other winners including Leona Lewis, who outsold Queen of Pop Madonna and master of the ballad Mariah Carey to take the title of World’s Best Female Pop Artist, and Amy Winehouse, who won the World’s Best Female Rock/Pop Artist.

The awards, established 20 years ago to honour recording artists based on world-wide sales figures, were hosted by Desperate Housewives heart-throb Jessie Metcalfe and boasted performances by Beyonce, Estelle and Anastacia.

Kid Rock, best known in the UK as a former husband of Baywatch pin-up Pamela Anderson, proved he had a healthy following by beating Michael Jackson and masters of sop James Blunt and Enrique Iglesias to World’s Best Male Pop Artist.

No doubt disappointed with the luke-warm reception to her Quantum of Solace duet with Jack White, Alicia Keys came back by winning the World’s Best R & B Artist.

Lil Wayne beat T-Pain, T and global superstar Kayne West to win World’s Best Rap/Hip-hop artist, while Beyonce, who performed at the ceremony, was given honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

Ringo Starr flew to Monaco to accept the diamond award, which honours artists who have sold more than 100 million albums, on behalf of the Beatles.

The Fab Four have sold more records than any other act in history.

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