Bottom of the pops

As the Brit Awards prepare to celebrate the best of British music, the record industry has come together to name and shame the worst.

The Naomi Awards honour the "truly terrible" acts of the past 12 months.

Pete Doherty was voted worst live act for his shambolic stage performances - when he bothers to turn up at all.

Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus had the worst British album with The Meaning of Love.

Now defunct boy band Busted were named worst British attempt at rock and their successors McFly won worst British breakthrough act. Blue were named worst British group, Jamie Cullum worst British male and Rachel Stevens worst British female.

Brian McFadden earned the title of worst international male, while worst international female went to Big Brother's Nadia Almada. Blazin' Squad won least convincing 'urban' act for the second year running.

The special award for outstandingly bad contribution to music went to Louis Walsh, the man responsible for Westlife and Girls Aloud.

The awards - named after supermodel Naomi Campbell and her short-lived singing career - are voted anonymously by record company executives, producers, managers and music journalists.

Simon George, music and marketing director of sponsor Music Choice, said: "Most awards take themselves too seriously. The Naomis recognise those who shouldn't have enjoyed what little success they have had."