Seven years after Graham Coxon unofficially left Blur shocking the record industry and fans alike, the band's guitarist was reunited on stage with the singer Damon Albarn last night.

The pair stunned fans at the NME Awards by taking to the stage unannounced to perform This Is A Low, from Blur's album Parklife, although they were without fellow bandmates Alex James and Dave Rowntree.

Despite their differences in the past, the pair embraced on stage after performing together, at the Brixton Academy, south London, with Albarn playing a miniature piano, and Coxon on guitar.

Blur, who along with Oasis were the leading lights of the Britpop movement of the mid 1990s announced in December that they were to reform for two gigs in London's Hyde Park, after splitting in 2003.

Despite the fact that the ceremony featured performances from acts such as The Cure and Franz Ferdinand, Albarn and Coxon stole the show.

Oasis, once their biggest rivals, were roundly booed by the crowd, after failing to show up to collect the award for Best Band.

Rowntree and James also made an appearance, presenting the Best Solo Artist award to Pete Doherty..

Elbow, who won the 2008 Mercury Music Prize, performed with a 35-piece orchestra, before being awarded the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award.

Muse took three awards, including Best Live Band, Best Album Artwork, and Sexiest Male, for lead singer Matt Bellamy.

The Cure, awarded the Godlike Genius award, closed the ceremony with a performance of ten of their greatest hits.

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