Robbie wins songwriting award

Robbie Williams was honoured with a prestigious songwriting award Thursday.

The UK pop star won an Ivor Novello award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically" for "Strong", BBC Radio 1 reports.

The Ivor awards aren't as glamorous as the Grammys or the Brits, but they're considered one of the most important awards ceremonies of the year by music-industry insiders.

Last year Robbie won two Ivor Novello awards, and although he wasn't able to collect his award at the London ceremony, he was proud of the honour.

"Well that's very kind of them, it's really cool," he told the BBC. "I don't really like that song that much. Don't like the chorus. I think it moans a bit. I'm very proud of the lyrics so, yeah, I think I should have won, that's very nice."

Robbie went on to explain the reason for his absence.

"I'm doing a photo shoot for my album and we've hired this massive place," he said. "If we shoot overtime it's gonna cost too much money. So unfortunately, I couldn't be with all the industry bods, sitting at a table talking nonsense to people I don't know."

Robbie wasn't the only pop star to scoop an award Thursday. Christina Aguilera's hit single "Genie In A Bottle" won "International Hit Of The Year" and Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" won for "Most Performed Work".

Below is a complete list of Ivor Novello winners: