LONDON--Sir Paul McCartney [ tickets ], Madonna [ tickets ] and Robbie Williams [ tickets ] were just a few of the top artists honored on Thursday (5/25) at the Ivor Novello Awards, Britain's most important annual songwriting competition.

Former Beatle McCartney was named a fellow of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters at the prestigious ceremony held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Pop star Robbie Williams and co-writer Guy Chambers received the award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Strong." Meanwhile, Madonna and William Orbit [ tickets ] scooped the Performing Rights Society prize for Most Performed Work for "Beautiful Stranger." Christina Aguilera's song "Genie in a Bottle" was named International Hit of the Year.

Other winners included pop group the Pet Shop Boys who won the PRS award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Fran Healey, singer for the Scottish guitar band Travis, picked up the Songwriter of the Year award and the Best Contemporary Song award for "Why Does It Always Rain on Me."