Elaborating, afterwards, he said: "He deserved the Q award - for queer."

Liam Gallagher arrives at the awards

When Williams - who was involved in a war of words with Gallagher earlier this year - collected his prize, he remained composed despite jeers from the Oasis table.

"I'm just going to keep my gob shut," Williams - who challenged Gallagher to a fight at the Brit Awards in March - said.

I don't dislike him, I don't hate him, I just think he's rubbish

Liam Gallagher

However, when the audience shouted insults at singer Kylie Minogue - who appeared on his single Kids - the 26-year-old walked out of the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Gallagher, 28, said: "I've heard he's been mouthing off about me when I'm not around, but when he's sitting in the same room he shuts his mouth. It just goes to show who is the soft lad."

Kylie Minogue was booed by Oasis' table

He added: "I don't dislike him, I don't hate him, I just think he's rubbish.

"If he slags my band off, he slags my girlfriend and he slags my brother off, I'll have him."

Brother Noel said: "He's in fine form. He's got his suit in the boot in case there's a court case in the morning."

In 1996, Liam was arrested after being found wandering around the West End by police. He was cautioned for possession of cocaine.

The spat overshadowed the rest of the awards, although the other winners made light of it.

Travis' Fran Healy and friend arrive at the Q awards

Coldplay singer Chris Martin picked up his band's award - best album for Parachutes - and said: "Let's get serious for a minute. Badly Drawn Boy, �20 of your money and �20 of my money, and outside."

Scottish band Travis were named best act in the world, beating the Manic Street Preachers and Radiohead.

Singer Fran Healy said: "It's like getting a big pair of shoes to grow into - I think we've got a few more years to grow into it."

Joe Strummer, formerly of The Clash, was honoured with the "inspiration" award.

Despite Chris Martin's offer of fisticuffs, Badly Drawn Boy - also known as Damon Gough - picked up the best live act prize, to add to his Mercury music prize won earlier this year.

Winner: David Gray adds to a successful year

The Q awards are organised by the publishers of the music magazine of the same name.

The winners of all categories - except songwriting, producer, merit and inspiration awards - are chosen by readers of the magazine.

David Gray - whose album White Ladder has been one of the year's surprise successes - took the title of best single, for his track Babylon.

Jerry Dammers, of 1970s ska band The Specials, won the merit award.